Merry Christmas to all from Straight Talk with NDFB! Our final episode of our "Best Of" season was originally released on December 20, 2023. Hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord visited with Courtney Lesmeister, part-owner of Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens.

Courtney, a friend of Alisha's, married into a family-owned and operated tree farm when she married Lloyd Lesmeister, son of Wayne and Jean, the owners of Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens. Courtney now works on the family tree farm along with Wayne and Jean, Lloyd, and two children.

Although the farm sells trees year-round, Wayne-N-Jeans is best known for its cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas tree sales, wreaths, and gift shop.

From the middle of November to Christmas Eve, Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens is open to the public, allowing them to choose and cut down a Christmas Tree. The farm hosts several Christmas events, including a visit from Santa Claus, the Grinch, Ladies Day, and much more!

To find Wayne-N-Jean's Evergreens, visit

https://www.wjevergreens.com or find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064651511013 .

To contact Straight Talk with NDFB, email emmery@ndfb.org

In this "Best Of" season of Straight Talk, we travel back to Season 3, episode 9, as our hosts, siblings Emmery and Ezra, drive to Carrington to visit with the van Bedaf siblings, Piet and Maartje, and learn more about the family's dairy farm and creamery.

Tune in as they talk about:

• The history of the farm and why Carrington, N.D.
• The importance of animal agriculture to North Dakota
• Building relationships with the community as the key to successful diversification
• Managing businesses, large or small
• Finding true joy and fulfillment in your work

Links

Piet van Bedaf’s Youtube channel

Maartje’s Cows & Co. Creamery

Email Emmery at emmery@ndfb.org

Like what you’re hearing? Become a member of NDFB!

In this "Best of" season of Straight Talk, we step back to Season 7, episode 15 as hosts Emmery Mehlhoff and Alisha Nord travel to Wimbledon, N.D., to visit with Matt and Bethany Peterson, owners of Aligned Ag.

Aligned Ag offers precision ag services, crop protection, soil sampling services and sells Pioneer seed to the Wimbledon and surrounding areas.

Matt and Bethany began growing their business in 2021, and Bethany recently left her job at BASF to work full-time in the business.

In today’s episode, we talk about:

• How precision ag and profitability go hand in hand
• Working together as husband and wife
• How to start a business from the ground up

To contact Matt and Bethany at Aligned Ag, call 701-425-2100 or visit them at their location west of Wimbledon.

Contact Emmery and Alisha, email emmery@ndfb.org

Matt and Bethany are also finishing their term on the NDFB YF&R Committee. Learn more about NDFB's YF&R program.