2024 Ag Appreciation Banquet

The annual Ag Appreciation Banquet will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the 4 Seasons Pavilion in Bowman, North Dakota. Join us for a free evening of food, fellowship, and entertainment as we honor the 2024 Farmer/Rancher of the Year and the incredible ag communities of Bowman, Slope, and Harding Counties.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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 – Joe and Cindy Painter, 2024 Farmer/Rancher of the Year

7:30 pm – Entertainment

2024 Farmer/Rancher of the Year

Joe and Cindy Painter

The Painter Family started their 6th Generation legacy in Buffalo, SD in 1895 when Joe’s Great Grandfather, Lewis Levi, homesteaded a quarter of an acre on the banks of the Little Missouri River. Joe continued ranching with his grandfather-Joe and his father-Paul early on in life. He graduated from Harding County High School in 1978 and attended BHSU from 1978-1981 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. Cindy, originally from Wyoming, also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from BHSU in 1980. They were married in 1983 and had 3 children: Jessica, Paul Jay and Joey. The 3 children helped on the ranch growing up and all 3 went on with their education and received a master’s degree. PJ pursued a career in Law and is married and living in Cincinnati, Ohio working as an In-House Attorney. Joey is ranching in Broadus, MT with her Husband, Taylor, and their 3 children (Landon, Carson and Shay). Jessica married Casey Holmes, from Wisconsin whom she met in college, and came back to help on our Ranch and today are Full Partners with the help of their 3 children (Tommi, Trey and Chase).

Our Family is constantly working on improving all aspects of the Ranch from hay fields, water tanks, stockades, tree belts, waterlines and cross fences. Throughout the years we have built several stockades and laid miles of pipeline for freshwater tanks to every pasture. We have subdivided or cross fenced most of our pastures to improve grazing management and practice proper grazing rotation. We have put in several tree belts on the ranch to help with cattle protection. Together with our family we have grown in acres and knowledge to make our Ranch prosperous.

Throughout the years Joe and Cindy have been awarded:
– Harding County Conservation Family of the Year in 2001
– Casey Tibbs Ranch Family Award in 2009
– Pioneer Ranch Award in 2020 from the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation
– Painter Family was inducted to the BHSU Hall of Fame in 2012 as the Legacy Family

Joe, Cindy, and family have always been a huge part of their community. Joe has served and participated as a Harding County Commissioner, SD State Stockgrowers Director, Harding County Stockgrowers President, Harding County Activities Club President, Ladner Church President, and helped with many more organizations. Cindy served and participated as a Harding County EMT, Ladner Church Sunday School Leader and teacher, Ladner Church Secretary, Bullock Community Club Officer and helped with many more organizations. Both Joe and Cindy have been to Washington DC three different times with the Farmers Union Fly In Group to help advocate for the Ranchers and Farmers in our area.

Entertainment

Calli Thorne

Calli Thorne is a keynote speaker, global leadership trainer, mindset coach, and multi-business entrepreneur. She is married to her husband CJ and they have three young children. Calli grew up on her family’s farm and ranch in northwest North Dakota and today they operate multiple enterprises including a backgrounding feedlot and cow/calf operation. They recently purchased a USDA federally inspected beef processing plant to sell beef directly to consumers and to increase custom slaughter options for ranchers in the region. They operate a full-scale farm to fork business and are proud to be the 4th generation and raising the 5th on their family’s land.

Calli is a certified member of the John Maxwell Leadership Team specializing in personal and professional development including conflict resolution, communication, mindset impact, and understanding behavioral styles. She also offers Mental Health First Aid certification classes and a variety of masterclasses, workshops, and trainings that assist others in expanding their perspectives to live life better.

Past Farmer/Rancher of the Year Awards

• 2023 Mark and Stephanie Kelner
• 2022 Laureen Stuber
• 2021 Bruce and Teresa Bowman
• 2020 Brooks Chalky Butte Ranch
• 2019 Wayne and Susan Nelson
• 2018 Gerald, Rita, Larry, and Jackie Lambourn
• 2017 Kenneth Abrahamson
• 2016 Harry Kerr
• 2015 Donald Brown
• 2014 Wayne Mrnak
• 2013 Bruce Freitag
• 2012 Bob Andrews
• 2011 Marlene Mrnak
• 2010 Leo Heinrich
• 2009 John Lee and Ellen Njos
• 2008 Don Burke
• 2007 Roger Stuber
• 2006 Burke Lambourn
• 2005 Elwood and Gerry Andersen
• 2004 Ina Holmquist
• 2003 Lyle and Sharon Gunderson
• 2002 Lyle Sander
• 2001 Stanley Pope
• 2000 Bob Penfield
• 1999 Lawrence Faris
• 1998 Bill Fisher
• 1997 Fred Gerth
• 1996 Dorothy Soreide
• 1995 Ken Rajewsky
• 1994 Odell Sabe
• 1993 Howard Pearson
• 1992 Albert Bowman
• 1991 Wally Jacobs
• 1990 Jim Mrnak
• 1989 Howard Brooks