The Farm, as it was Before 2009 and DL Flooding Began

These photos were taken in DeGroat Township, Ramsey County. The Hoystads arrived and began purchasing supplies for the farm in 1882.

The first photo was taken in the early 1900’s and shows moving a barn from one farm to another with horses. The distance to move the barn was almost a mile.

The second photo shows the barn in place at the Ole Hoystad farmyard after the move.

The third photo is harvesting durum at the Joel and Donna Mae Storsteen farm in 1978. From left to right – Erling Pederson, Karen Storsteen, now Karen Hausmann and Sandra Storsteen, now Sandra Bjerke. Erling was our neighbor who also lived in DeGroat Township.

The fourth photo is the Joel and Donna Mae Storsteen farm in 1990.

Ole Hoystad was the father of Ida Hoystad Storsteen. Her son was Joel Storsteen, Karen and Sandra are the daughters of Joel and Donna Mae Storsteen.

The land was farmed continuously through 2008. Starting in 2009, Devils Lake flooding began inundating this land and the inundation continues today, February 24, 2025. Not only is this farmland flooded or inaccessible, but over 100,000 acres in the area remain flooded and countless other private property owners continue to suffer the destruction and losses due to Devils Lake flooding.

I did not include any of the ugly flood photos but rather wanted you to know how this land was farmed for over 125 years and the way it should still be farmed today.

Submitted by Karen (Storsteen) Hausmann