Submitted Photo Attendees of the Hefty Seed Yield Contest awards banquet stand around a check representing the $121,089 raised that will be donated to local organizations and charities.

MOHALL — Local farmers showed that despite a dry 2023 season they are still able to produce impressive yields and generously give back to their communities. Hefty Seed Company of Mohall recently held its annual Yield Contest awards banquet, donating $121,089 to local charitable causes.

Farmers donate the production dollars from their five best acres in the contest to the local charity of their choice. The Hefty Yield Contest has donated a total of $507,771 to local communities over the seven years of the contest.

“We are just amazed at the generosity of the farmers who want to give back to their local charities.” said Wyatt Thompson, manager of Hefty in Mohall. “All of this is due to the fantastic farming families in the area. None of this would be possible without them. We’re looking forward to a great 2024 growing season and hoping to expand the yield contest to bring even more money back to the local communities.”

The farmers with the highest yield in each division received a free one-year lease on a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado Z71 from Drive Chevrolet in Bottineau. Winners were Byron Carter, Hefty soybeans; Kolby Iverson, Hefty corn; Robert Schaefer, AgriPro wheat; and Randy Fyllesvold, Invigor canola.

Area organizations and causes benefiting from this year’s contest and the farmers who gave to them are: Bishop Ryan School, Robert and Katy Schaefer; Bowbells Ambulance, Sabrina and Austin Nyhof; Church of Nazarene, Steve and Jerri Keith; Dakota Hope, Guy and Wendy Solemsaas, Wayne and Chrisanne Drangsholt; Fargo Oak Grove, Byron and Shelley Carter; Hope Forest, Wayne and Chrisanne Drangsholt; Kenmare Fire Department, Kolby and Hannah Iverson; Lansford Fire Department, Austin Adams, Jeff and Meg Oberholtzer, Jerry and Deb Oberholtzer; Lansford Food Pantry, Austin Adams; Lignite Fire Department, Faron Ehlke; Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot, Robert and Katy Schaefer, Peter and Gigi Artz; Metigoshe Ministries, Peter and Bethany Gates; Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Music Boosters, Peter and Bethany Gates, Andy and Meggan Gates; MLS Student Council Backpack Buddies, Randy and Kharra Fyllesvold.