Agriculture United of South Dakota has named the Ode family, of Brandon, S.D., AgVocate of the Year

The Odes owns and operates Royalwood Farms.  Brothers Doug Ode and Gregg Ode work together to manage the 270 cow farm and raise corn and alfalfa crops.  Doug has two sons, Ryan and Erik, who are both students at South Dakota State University.  Gregg and his wife, Jane, have two children, Alex is an SDSU graduate and works at the new Bel Brands cheese plant in Brookings and Elisabeth is an SDSU student. Gregg's and Doug's parents, Bob and Marilyn Ode, continue to be very involved in the family operation.

Back row (left to right) Doug Ode, Alex Ode, Gregg Ode. Front Row (left to right) Bob and Marilyn Ode.

The Ode family hosts a dairy farm open house each summer during June Dairy Month, More than 1,000 people and their children often come to their farm for tours, a pancake breakfast, and entertainment activities.  In addition, the Odes often host daycare tours throughout the year. Doug and Gregg also visit local schools during National Ag Week. 

"Thousands of Sioux Falls area residents know the Ode family for their annual 'Breakfast on the Farm' open house each June. However they are advocates for agriculture year round," said Steve Dick, Ag United executive director. "We appreciate their willingness to open their farm to the public and share their dairy farm's story with consumers."

Ag United marked its 10th anniversary at the event, celebrating a decade of supporting South Dakota farm and ranch families and rural communities.  The organization was developed through a collaboration of farm organizations that support livestock production and development. It includes the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Dairy Producers, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Pork Producers Council, South Dakota Poultry Industries Association and the South Dakota Soybean Association. 

For more infomraiton, see www.agunited.com, South Dakota Farm Families on Facebook, or @SDFarmFamilies on Twitter.

Source: Ag United