ABOVE: Haley Ammann-Ekstrom stands and speaks to a room of city and county businessmen, farmers, and officials at Tuesday’s Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business meeting at Tami’s on the Ave in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT – At Tuesday’s Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness meeting, sixth-generation farmer Haley Ammann-Ekstrom shared her story and the issues facing farmers like her.

In addition to farming, Ekstrom said she and her father both work full-time jobs. With this, she said they are busy and every day ends up being different.

For Ekstrom, her path to becoming a farmer kicked off when she was nine years old.

“I watched my first cow and got started in 4-H, and that’s where my love for agriculture and the beef industry started and blossomed,” she said. “I had some really great mentors in 4-H that were, ironically, all female mentors that just saw something in me and helped me find those leadership skills, and I wanted to hone in on those more.”

It wouldn’t be a straight shot to farming, however. After high school, Ekstrom attended cosmetology school and worked at a beauty salon in Fairmont. It was one encounter she had in that salon that changed the direction of her life.

“I had one gentleman come in, and he was a multi-generation crop farmer here in Martin County,” she said. “Simple 20-minute haircut boosted something that made me realize while I love working with people, it wasn’t necessarily cosmetology I was after. That following week, I ended up putting in my two-week notice, and I went back to school.”

Four years later, Ekstrom graduated with a degree in Ag Business Management and Marketing. She then interned for Nu-Way for two years and has now worked there full-time for 10 years.

In her experience at Nu-Way, Ekstrom has seen a rise in female interns and people interested in Ag. She said it’s great to see they have a fit for people, no matter what their cup of tea is.

“I think that’s what the younger generations have to know,” Ekstrom said. “When people think agriculture, automatically, they go to a farmer and pitchfork. If you have something else you’re passionate about, whether it’s engineering mechanics or raising the food, there’s a fit for you in agriculture.”

Currently, Ekstrom has around 55 cattle on her farm, a little higher than the national average of 40. Attendee and Kahler Automation Co-Owner Char Kahler asked Ekstrom about the accessibility of large animal veterinarians.

“Not like we used to 10 years ago,” she said. “My dad would tell you that if he was sitting in the room. It’s just gone away, unfortunately. It’s really hard because most people want to be small vets, which is awesome, because we still need those. The large animal is incredibly expensive to go to school for, and it’s six to eight years of schooling, depending on how in-depth you want to go. They don’t make as much as well.”

On top of this, Ekstrom said more people are focusing on the standard 9-to-5 work week, and not being available at all hours, as a large animal veterinarian would need to be in cases of emergency. Because of this and other factors, she said farmers are taking matters into their own hands.

“A lot of people have gone to being able to do different procedures themselves and to give their own vaccinations,” Ekstrom said. “You still have to have a vet or vet clinic sign off on your medications that you’re administering, but if you can store those yourself at home and learn to do some of that yourself, maybe you’re saving a little bit on labor at that point.”

The purpose of the agribusiness committee is to provide a means for farmers and businessmen to promote the importance of agriculture in Martin County.

Chamber President Kandi Menne said she was able to learn about preserving the generational culture of farming.

“The importance of Ag in our community and all aspects she touched a little bit on it, but mostly with the cattle, with the beef,” she said. “It was interesting to hear her story, because she has such a great story about how she began very early, went away, and circled back, because this is her passion.”

For those interested in sharing their story or information with the Chamber Agribusiness committee, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 507-235-5547 or email Kandi Menne at president@fairmontchamber.org.