The annual Ag Appreciation Banquet will be held on Wednesday October, 25th 2023 at the 4 Seasons Pavilion in Bowman, North Dakota. Join us for a free evening of food, fellowship, and entertainment as we honor the 2023 Farmer/Rancher of the Year and our incredible ag communities.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
5:00 pm – Social – Open bar courtesy of Bowman Area Chamber of Commerce and Sponsors
6:00 pm – Dinner – Free meal courtesy of Bowman Area Chamber of Commerce and Sponsors
7:00 pm – Welcome
7:15 pm – Award Presentation – 2023 Farmer/Rancher of the Year, Mark and Stephanie Kelner
7:30 pm – Entertainment by Braxten Nielsen
Mark Kelner has been a part of Bowman/Slope County for 69 years. He was raised on a farm/ranch seven and a half miles north of Buffalo Springs, which was started by Mark’s grandfather, Charles Kelner. He graduated from Scranton Public school in 1972 before attending Dickinson State College. He returned home to farm and ranch as well as work construction with S and S construction.
He married Stephanie (Tenny) Deutscher in June of 1977 and together they raised their four children: Eric, Lindsey, Blake, and Taylor. Mark farmed and ranched with his father and brother before Mark and Tenny began farming the Kelner and Deutscher farms on their own. They started NoTill farming and recropping in the late 70s.
After graduating from college, Eric came back to join the farming and ranching operation. They currently raise spring wheat, durum, canola, sunflowers, and corn. They have also been experimenting with cover crops. They also raise primarily red angus cattle and have cell grazed since the mid 80s.
Mark served on a NDSU Research and Extension advisory board, was a supervisor for the Bowman/Slope Soil Conservation District, and was a county representative for the North Dakota Wheat Commission. In 1994, Mark and Tenny won the Soil Conservation Award. Mark currently serves as the president of Scranton Equity Exchange, where he has been a board member for 25 years.
Mark has always been a sports nut playing all high school sports, refereeing, and coaching basketball. Mark and Tenny have spent many hours watching their children participate in athletic events, and now they are busy keeping up with their nine grandchildren: Hunter, Kade, Kellen, Evan, Avery, Jackson, Braxtyn, Kolben, and Emryn. The best memories have been made at Nana and Papa’s Farm.
Braxten is from Roosevelt, Utah. His motto “We were Born to Succeed” has been a quote that he has lived by and believes in. Braxten will share his message about hard work, being resilient and how to keep positive and overcome setbacks and challenges.
He currently lives in Utah with his wife Heather and daughter Jaida. He grew up loving the outdoors where he did a lot of camping, hunting, fishing, and working on his family’s ranch with his dad and family. He excelled in sports and was a three-sport athlete throughout high school where he received all-state football, basketball, and baseball recognition and awards. In college he joined the college rodeo team and now enjoys team roping. He is very close to his family and friends and enjoys building new relationships with people everywhere he goes.
Nominate your favorite farmer/rancher with this form and deliver it to 13 E Divide, mail to PO Box 1143, Bowman, ND 58623, or submit by email to chamber@bowmannd.com
Nominations are due by September 11, 2023
Wayne and Susan Nelson recognized as 2019 Farmer/Rancher of the Year in Bowman, North Dakota.
Wayne and Susan Nelson recognized as 2019 Farmer/Rancher of the Year in Bowman, North Dakota.
Wayne and Susan Neslon, 2019 Farmer/Rancher of the Year, with their family at the 2019 Ag Appreciation Banquet.
Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch recognized as 2020 Farmer/Rancher of the Year in Bowman, North Dakota.
Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch recognized as 2020 Farmer/Rancher of the Year in Bowman, North Dakota.
Jerry, Rita, Larry, and Jackie Lambourn recognized as 2018 Farmer/Rancher of the Year in Bowman, North Dakota.
2018 Farmer/Rancher of the Year, L Double Bar Ranch, with Bowman Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee
2017 Farmer/Rancher of the Year, Kenneth Abrahamson, with family at the 2017 Ag Appreciation Banquet in Bowman, North Dakota.
2017 Farmer/Rancher of the Year, Kenneth Abrahamson, with family at the 2017 Ag Appreciation Banquet in Bowman, North Dakota.
Brooklyn Engelhart
brooklyn@bowmannd.com
13 1/2 E Divide
Bowman, ND 58623
(701) 523-5880
Monday – Friday
8am – 5pm (MST)
(Closed on legal holidays)