For Don and Doreen Snideman who were named Top Grower with 50-282 acres, farming is a family tradition that they are proud to continue. The farm located west of Glendive along the Buffalo Rapids Irrigation Project has been in Doreen Snideman’s family since the late 1920s-early 1930s. Doreen Snideman’s grandfather came to the area from Nebraska when the beet factory opened; the factory went to Nebraska looking for farmers who were willing to relocate and grow sugar beets. Since then, her father and uncles have all farmed the land and she, as a third generation farmer, was pleased that her husband became a part of that tradition.
“I’m very proud of my parents and their work ethic and I’m very proud of Don. He’s so humble and that’s a nice quality to see,” says Doreen Snideman of her husband.
Don Snideman has been farming for twenty years and feels farming is more of a way of life than a job. Their crops include sugar beets, corn, wheat, alfalfa and barley. The Snidemans were named Top Grower with 135 acres, 36.9 tons per acre, 18.03% sugar content, and a rating of 32.79.
“The weather was by far the determining factor with the crop, it played a huge role. We were blessed with a big crop and Mother Nature really helped,” said Don Snideman.
He also notes that there are challenges all the way through the season regardless of what kind of crop it is and adds that it is always a team effort and a family operation. In addition to their hired man who is “a tremendous help and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet”, the couple’s two daughters ages eleven and seven, go irrigating with their parents daily.
Although they have been recognized on the Top Ten Growers list before, this is their first year being named the Top Grower.
“It’s a blessing, that’s for sure,” said Don Snideman at the Top Ten luncheon that was held Wednesday January 14. “I’m very surprised and honored.”
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