For the Love of the Land
Starting with nothing, Jack began farming in East Grand Forks in the early 1950’s. After buying a few acres of land from his father and working with his uncle, Jack slowly built his own farm. He never wanted to work for someone else; He felt a strong sense of independence and self-reliance.
His plan was simple, yet required a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication. He owned a few acres, rented some more land and grew potatoes and grains. The profits were immediately reinvested in buying more land and equipment. Every cent earned was put back into the farm.
In 1964 Jack married kindred spirit Madeline “Bobbi” Stallman. Jack would work and oversee the crew in the field and Bobbi would work and oversee the crew in the warehouses. They worked long hours, united in building a strong farm. They were often found selling vegetables from their large garden in front of the Grand Fork's K-Mart.
Jack was very deliberate in managing his acreage and understood the importance of good stewardship. Jack would often say "Farmers can’t just keep taking from the land. We need to replenish the nutrients and prepare it for future crops." Bobbi shared his belief, “If you take care of the land, it will take care of you.”
Jack also understood the importance of helping others. A young farmer, who rented land from him said, “If Jack hadn’t given me the chance, I probably wouldn’t be farming today.”
Sadly, on September 12, 2007 Jack died at the age of 72.
Jack’s wife of 43 years, Bobbi, is still on the farm. She now rents out the land Jack took such great care of. She summarizes by saying, “Jack loved life,
loved working and loved the land.”
To honor her late husbands hard work and dedication, Bobbi donated $26,000 to the NCTC Foundation to start the Jack Hangsleben Endowment. She is planning on growing this endowment to $100,000. Starting this fall, and for every year after this year, a scholarship will be awarded in Jack’s memory to a student entering the Farm Operations and Management Program at NCTC in East Grand Forks.
Bobbi wanted people to know, “Jack would be happy knowing that he is helping others who are willing to work hard and gain an opportunity to succeed in farming.” It is Bobbi’s desire to continue to add to Jack’s endowment. This will create even more financial support to help more individuals who share a love of the land.
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Farm Operations and Management Program
The Farm Operations and Management Program prepares students who are engaged in, or who are in the process of becoming established in, farming. As the business of farming continues to change, the challenge becomes one of finding the best source of good farm management education.
The practical "hands on" applications taught in the Farm Operations and Management courses enable students to make sound management decisions. These decisions are based on financial analysis, production information, utilizing computer applications.
The program is scheduled for two abbreviated semesters from early November through late March for two consecutive years. This enables the students to be on the farm during the production year.
Learn more about our Farm Operations and Management Program »
