Before Doug and Kelsey Tanneberg’s family settled near Mansfield in Douglas County, they hopscotched across the country, from Denmark to Minnesota to Davenport, Wash., beginning in the late 1800s. The desire to raise cattle prompted another move west to St. Andrews, Wash.
“I said to my granddad, Jens, ‘Why did you come to St. Andrews?’ His story was they were thinking about cattle and cattle grazing, and there was no water north of Davenport, so they settled in St. Andrews by the end of the 1800s. There’s all these little lakes out there,” Doug explained.
Jens’ family eventually purchased land west of Mansfield in 1930 after years of leasing in the area. Doug’s father, Jens Jr., and uncle would take over farming and eventually split the farm between themselves. Doug began farming in 1977 and took over from Jens Jr. in 1990. Doug’s son, Kelsey, and Kelsey’s wife, Kailee, began farming in 2017 and took over from Doug in 2022. Kelsey is the 4th generation on the farm where they raise dryland winter wheat and winter canola. Most of their acreage is direct seeded.
“It’s important to take care of the ground,” Kelsey said. “Where we farm is unique to other parts of Eastern Washington. What was done to make this land farmable was an undertaking. We are carrying on what the generations before have built.”
Kelsey and Kailee have a daughter, Palmer. Kailee and Doug’s wife, Michele, both play large roles in the farm, navigating the finances and government programs the farm is involved in. Their farm family also includes their hired man, Jared Henton.
“Things don’t go without Jared,” Kelsey said. “He keeps everything on this place running.” During harvest, the Tannebergs also hire semi and combine drivers, Ryan Smith and DJ Reynolds, who are “outstanding.”
Kelsey said that agriculture, like any other business, can be stressful, but that it’s a great way to make a living and is a healthy way to raise a family.
“I’d like to eventually rotate more crops into what we are doing. We have a very limited growing season and limited moisture. We are pretty constricted on what diversity we can have while still being profitable, and I’d like to see that improve,” Kelsey said.
