Kelly Brandlee
Kelly Bradlee of Back Forty Beef Farms, works with her husband, to provide quality beef directly from the farm. What sets Back Forty Beef apart in South Dakota is the Back Forty Beef Adventure Farm, which had its first season in 2023, with aspirations of being an annual attraction that offers a unique experience. Operating in the fall, it showcases local vendors, provides opportunities to interact with farm animals, offers fun playground areas for children, and features local products from local businesses.
An outstanding feature of the Adventure Farm is the 12-acre corn maze, creatively designed with the assistance of precision agriculture. Precision agriculture is a modern farming technique that employs technology, data, and analytics to optimize crop management and increase agricultural efficiency. The corn maze's intricately detailed design is proof of the precision that can be achieved with this approach.
Kelly and her husband had long aspired to provide quality meat directly from the farm, and they initially recognized the market gap before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the challenges posed by the pandemic compelled them to take action. They realized the growing demand from people wanting to purchase meat directly from the farm and promptly seized the opportunity.
When discussing the role of technology in agriculture, Kelly states the extensive use of technology on Back Forty farms is not a rarity. From electronic identification tags providing information about cows with a simple BlueTooth connected wand swipe to precision agriculture mapping out the corn maze, even online marketing and deliveries are standard practices in today's agriculture industry. Currently, the agriculture industry is adopting numerous technological advancements to enhance production efficiency and reduce costs.
Kelly's word of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs is not to be afraid to seek help from others, especially experts and mentors. She's confident in admitting her lack of knowledge in certain areas and actively seeks assistance. She readily acknowledges that owning a farm and running a business are two distinct fields of expertise.
