2021 Farmer/Rancher of the Year

Bruce and Teresa Bowman

This year’s honorees are Bruce and Teresa Bowman of Rhame, ND. Bruce graduated from Rhame High School, then attended Montana State University where he received a degree in Business Management and took as many agriculture electives as he could put in his schedule. Following graduation Bruce returned home to Rhame to begin ranching with his parents, Albert and Lorraine. In 1974, Bruce married Teresa Fischer. A few years later Bruce bought the ranch from his parents.

Bruce and Teresa have always raised Angus cattle, both registered and commercial herds. They have been utilizing artificial insemination since the early 70’s to constantly improve the genetics of their cows. Bruce bred to many different breeds over the years, including Charolais, Maine Anjou, Limousin, Simmental, Chianina, and Tarentaise. Bruce was also successful raising females and club calf prospects, selling them to Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Canada. Bruce began custom feeding calves about thirty years ago when he took in Bruce and Tina Ketchum’s Red Angus bulls, a relationship that continues today.

In 2001, Eric moved back to the ranch and expanded the feedlot to background their own calves as well as offering additional custom feeding for other ranchers. Today, under Eric and Andrea’s ownership, the ranch runs a commercial and registered Angus herd, raising yearling Angus bulls and a few F1 baldies. The Bowman Ranch bull sale is held at the ranch every February. In 2020, the Bowman Ranch received the Bowman County Tree Award and if you’ve every driven past their place you understand why. Bruce and Teresa are quick to mention that this has always been a family operation, where Bruce and Teresa’s children and now their grandchildren, have always worked with them, whether they are haying, fencing, or working cattle.

As passionate as Bruce is about his ranch and livestock, he is just as passionate about improving his community. Bruce has served on the 1^st Lutheran Church board and the Dakota Western Bank Shareholders Board. He has also been on the Farmer’s Union Oil Board and the Farmer’s Equity Elevator Board, serving both as President. Bruce was President of the Little Missouri Grazing Association and the North Dakota Chairman for the Bureau of Land Management Advisory Board. Rural healthcare has always held a special place in Bruce’s heart as he has served on the Sunset Care Board (past President), the Southwest Healthcare Board (past President), and the Sunrise Foundation Board. He was also a member of the Capital Campaigns for Sunset Care, Sunrise Village, and Southwest Healthcare. Bruce isn’t quite done yet as he is currently on the Bridger Creek Golf Course Advisory Board (Bozeman, MT) and the Badlands Ministries Board (Medora).

Bruce and Teresa are the proud parents of Duane, his wife Shannon and their kids Kenley, Warner, Thomas, and Branick; Eric, his wife Andrea and their kids Dillon, Livia, and Grayson; and Rebecca, her husband Brandon, and their kids Annastyn, Maci, Maddox, and Finley.

The agricultural business is at the very heart of Bowman, Slope, and Harding Counties. Help us show them all just how much we appreciate the long hours and hard work they put in. The life of a farmer/rancher is never easy, but the gift they give to all of us is worth it.