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Derek Anderson
Parents: Anthony and Sherry Anderson
W.B. Stone Inc.
Henning, Minnesota
480 cows
Parkers Prairie High School
 
Employer:
Tell us your favorite experience of Derek helping with chores. Watching him grow and become more involved and invested in the operation. Sherry: As a mom, I hate watching him drive the packing tractor, but I am also so proud he is trusted enough to be the one in charge of that job when he is needed. Anthony: As a dad, it was fun to have him work with me every day when school was closed. He learned more that year than he would have learned in the classroom.
 
What qualities does Derek have that benefit the farm? Derek is a hard worker and always willing to learn new things. He has grown into a dependable young man with many new ideas, a willing hand and a desire to learn more.
 
Youth:
What are your responsibilities on the farm? This time of year, maintenance and repairs take up most of my time. I do help with calf chores when needed, feed cows on weekends and enjoy fieldwork.

When did you begin helping on the farm? I started working on the farm when I was about 10. That is when we moved to our current location.

How do you balance school, extracurricular activities and farm chores? School comes first. I work weekends all year and after school when I am not in a sport. During the summer, I mostly work full time on the farm. I’m also the president of the Parkers Prairie FFA Chapter.

How has working on the farm shaped your character? It has given me a strong work ethic and made me realize the importance of being dependable.

What do you love most about farm life? Doing something new every day. Every day is different and has opportunities to learn new things.

What is one thing you have learned from working alongside your parents? The importance of communication and patience.

What are your future plans? Continue to work on the farm until graduation and then take it one day at a time.

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