Greener grass on Kopriva's side

Farmers and ranchers are unique individuals. It's what fascinates me: Everyone has their own methods, philosophies and perspectives. I would like to introduce you to one fine example of unique and passionate farmers.

Angela, Karen, Jim and Lee. Picture by Colette Kessler

 Jim and Karen Kopriva, and their children Lee and Angela farm near Raymond, Clark County. As humble as the Kopriva's are, they are the recipients of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award. What do they do differently? I drive 50 minutes West from the Interstate 29 on a spring afternoon to find out.

Jim grew up in Rapid City. He wanted to be a farmer, but his family had no land. He studied Agricultural Business at SD State. That's where he met Karen, a farm girl from Raymond. He assures me he was not chasing a farm girl; they just fell in love. Ten years later, neighbors of Karen's parents sold their farm to the young couple. The start of Jim and Karen's dream: their own farm.

Some farm buildings

Why farming? Jim explains that he loves working with livestock and producing hay. He shares his passion with son Lee, who alike his family members, graduated from SD State. Lee works full time at the farm. Karen and Angela both combine farm life with careers outside the farm. The farm consists of lots of grassland; used for hay production and grazing cows. There are 300 registered Black Angus cows. Jim explains that his cows get to graze as much as possible. Even in winter! Usually there isn't much left to graze after January first. That's when the cows come home to the farm, where they stay until there's fresh grass again; usually around the first of May.

Proudly talking about bull business

Horse-lovers are the best customers of Kopriva's top-quality hay. This horse-hay is so tasty and of such great quality; it is even being shipped to Maine and North Carolina. What makes this hay so special? Timing and dedication. After working a 22 hour day, Lee and Jim had once decided not to do this ever again. The next day, they worked 23 hours in their hay harvest. Karen's task is to rake the hay carefully. Jim smiles when he talks about the peak season.
Lots of hay, but no horses at the Kopriva's. Trucks and fourwheelers can get them everywhere. There are no rivers to cross, or timber to get through.

The Three-Dimensional Leopold Award

Special horse-hay doesn't get you a conservation award. The Leopold Award found it's way to the farm near Raymond because of the way the Kopriva's take care of the environment. Jim explains that they consider themselves "stewards of the land". It is about improving the soil quality, being in tune with nature to take care of the resources. One major resource: water. The pastures have waterholes to store water. The hay land has a few rows of tall grass left from last year, which captures snow and keeps the moisture on the land. Jim calls himself a "water manager".
The pastures are being grazed in rotation. It works like this: each field is separated in paddocks. The cows graze in one paddock, while the other paddocks are getting a break from grazing. Nests and wildlife will find these paddocks in rest. According to Jim, the cows always behave the same way when entering into a new paddock. First they walk around the fence, then to the waterhole. Then they start grazing from the waterhole, and back.

Pasture with waterhole

We eat supper: Lee's grilled steak. The best steak I've had in a long time (Lewinski... or Wollinski in Washington DC comes close). Karen and Jim rarely go out to eat. If they do, they never order steak. I believe that. It would be a disappointment. Instead, Lee could become the chef of "Kopriva's Angus Steakhouse".

After supper and a wonderful conversation with this friendly family, it is time for a farm tour. Tex, the dog, is chaperoning.

This is what I saw: bulls and their special Kopriva brandmarks, cows, calves playing in a pasture between trees, a pond with frogs, lots of hay, deer and a tiny baby deer in the bluffs, three donkeys to protect the calves from coyotes, green green grass, pheasants, geese, and a field of soybeans. 

The grass is not greener on the other side.

Video: a Frog Symphony at Kopriva's ranch

 

The Kopriva's: http://www.itctel.com/koprivaangus/

More about the Leopold Conservation Award: http://leopoldconservationaward.org