Dale and Deedra Erickson, Erickson Herefords
Dale was raised on the family’s farm that was started by his parents, Gerald and Isabel, in the 1930s. Dale and Deedra purchased the farm in 1985 after they were married. The farm’s original size was 360 acres but since Dale and Deedra took it over, the farm has grown to 1,300 acres, which also includes Deedra’s parents’ Erling and Iva Olson’s farm. The Ericksons raise registered and commercial Polled Herefords and grow oats and hay for feed.
Dale and Deedra began their operation with 15 Herefords and have grown to an average herd size of 150 head. Embryo transfer and artificial insemination are used to improve their herd. They regularly attend bull sales and have been buying bulls from Topp Herefords in North Dakota for the past 15 years. Deedra has a love of Arabian horses and she raised them for many years. The family also raises laying hens.
Dale and Deedra were both raised on dairy farms and Deedra showed Hereford cattle in 4-H. The couple has four children: Cameron, Karla, Calli and Grant. Deedra is active in their local community of Birchdale. She’s been a Sunday School teacher, a 4-H leader and a member of the River Valley Development Association. She served on the Indus School Scholarship Committee and volunteers her time in other ways as well. Dale owns Erickson Timber Products of Baudette and was honored as Lakes States Logger of the Year in 2015. Dale is active in the community, volunteering his time to many organizations and boards including serving on the local school board, on the Minnesota Forest Resource Council and is a current member of the Minnesota Timber Producers Association.