Hi! My name is Tara Uran and I am the District 8 representative on the Promotion & Education Committee for North Dakota Farm Bureau. After six years on the committee, I term off this month. Being a part of this committee has taught me so many things. One of those is that we all have voices and stories unique to ourselves and families and it’s a wonderful thing to be able to share that with others, in and out of the ag community. With that, I will share a little about my family!
Brad and I were married in 2018 and we have a 14-month-old daughter, Veda, who is our entire world! Brad and I both come from agricultural backgrounds, but we have our separate interests that have us going in opposite directions most days. We got married in our 30s so we had established careers and side hustles when we met. Brad works as an electrician for an oil production company in Stanley and ranches with his parents outside of town. I am an ag lender for Bravera Bank in Stanley, and I farm with my dad south of Powers Lake. When we aren’t in the field, I enjoy the days I get to spend with the Uran family; whether it’s sorting calves or bedding the barns before a storm, it’s always an adventure. We love that our daughter gets to grow up being a part of both worlds!
On our farm we raise wheat, canola, peas, lentils, soybeans and our favorite….durum! Our elevator in Powers Lake is owned by Italgrani USA, the largest semolina and durum flour miller in North America. I still find it fascinating that durum we produce every year is shipped off to be milled, turned into flour products that are bought by pasta makers, cereal companies, bakers and other food businesses around the world. It is exciting to me to be a part of that process.
Eighteen years ago, when I went off to college, I never thought I would be back close to home farming with my dad or even working in an ag related position. But life takes crazy turns you don’t see coming! What started as my dad letting me farm 80 acres so I would stick around and help during harvest has turned into being a partner in the farm. Ten years have flown by, and I couldn’t imagine my life without this piece in it. My great-grandparents farmed, as did my grandparents, my dad and now me. It is fulfilling to be able to carry that on to the next generation.
Farmers and ranchers deal with plenty of challenges and each year seems to bring something different; weather, disease, market prices, the list goes on; there is no such thing as a perfect year, some years are just better than others. One of my own personal struggles is trying to juggle my full- time job, being available at all times on the farm, staying involved in my community and most importantly, being a good wife and mother. Sometimes we get spread a little thin and it’s important to surround yourself with good people. Luckily, I have a great husband who keeps our life in order at home and handles the ‘single-parenting’ flawlessly during my busier times of the year. I also work for a great company that allows me the flexibility to be able to split my time between lending and farming. On top of that we have family and friends that are more than happy to lend a hand if needed! All of these things make our day to day lives a little easier!
There is so much misinformation out there when it comes to farming and ranching. People used to trust the farmers and ranchers who created their food. Now the average consumer is three generations removed from a farm and there is a plethora of fear-based, false information at everyone’s fingertips. My advice would be to seek your information from reputable sources. Ask a farmer or rancher directly if you have questions or concerns. Building relationships helps build trust and the world could use a lot more of that these days.
