Written by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Steve and Denise Kienholz both grew up in the Marland area. As high school sweethearts, they established their homestead, where they now raise 185 heads of commercial cow-calf pairs and 3,900 acres of crop and grassland, harvesting wheat, soybeans, and milo.
“This is where we’ve always been, and this is home,” Denise said.
The Kienholzes raised their two children, Jason and Courtney, on their Noble County farm and ranch. During harvest, Courtney, her husband, and her eldest son help the Kienholzes with whatever is needed.
“I just wanted the kids to be raised on the farm,” Denise said. “I think they enjoyed it, and it’s just a great life for raising kids. They learn work ethic, and they know what needs to be done and they just jump right in and get it done.”
Steve and Denise implemented a crop rotation program and have experimented with new technology to improve their yields. They use no-till practices on 25% of crop production, with the balance in grain and grazing. Their goal is to increase no-till production and control weeds to save labor.
“You just got to have an optimistic attitude about it, and if you don’t have an optimistic attitude, I don’t think you can be successful in anything,” Steve said. “You’ve got to be happy with what you’re doing.”
The Kienholz family stays involved in their community as they have served in various roles. Steve currently serves as the vice president on the Noble County Rural Water District Four, Noble County Farm Service Agency committee board, and is president of the Noble County Farm Bureau. Denise serves as president of the Noble County Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. They are both active members of the Ceres Christian Church, where Steve is an elder deacon and Denise serves as secretary.
“It’s in my blood,” Steve said. “I don’t think I would do anything else. It’s a hard life, you’ve got your plenty up and downs, but I enjoy being out with the cattle. I just don’t think I could do anything else. Just waking up in the morning hearing the cattle hollering at us – it’s just a great life.”
OKFB’s Farm and Ranch Family Recognition program celebrates nine farm and ranch families from around the state who carry on the best traditions of Oklahoma agriculture and our rural communities.
“Our state’s family farmers and ranchers do so much for our state, from feeding and clothing Oklahomans to taking care of our natural resources,” said Mignon Bolay, OKFB WLC chair. “Our Women’s Leadership Committee is proud to recognize these nine farm and ranch families and share their stories of agricultural excellence and rural community involvement.”
As part of their recognition, the family received a cash award and a custom sign to hang at their farm gate. They were also recognized at the 2024 OKFB convention with a video sharing their agricultural operation and heritage.
