Freelance Writing

At the Blum Ranch, we're passionate about agriculture and living our life in the business of it all. Whether crafting columns to elicit a laugh or a tear, Amy Blum believes in writing from the heart in order to connect to a publication's audience. Amy has extensive experience in all writing types and styles through a variety of channels. From feature pieces in a magazine to online content and email to fundraising material, Amy can offer you guidance on strategy and delivery ... or, you can tell her what you need, and she'll deliver!

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Blum's Bits
Thought-provoking work published in Charolais Country

Living with Faith or Dying without it
Many of us have watched helplessly as crops and pastures withered away. We've eaten dust, baked in the sun and made tough decisions. Some of us maybe even cussed the entire situation. But, we persevered. We pushed through the challenges, took a break when we couldn't stand anymore and started all over again the next day.

To me, faith lies at the heart of why many of us continue to move forward, especially in times of devastation ... Read Full Column (August 2012)

The more things change
One year ago, I wrote about faith—not the western South Dakota town, but rather the ability to trust and believe in something you can’t see. At the time, producers were challenged by significant drought; my best friend had just buried her newborn daughter, and my great-grandma celebrated her 100th birthday. Fast-forward 365 days ... Read Full Column (August 2013)

Recall the past, live the present
After the past year of Mayans threatening to send Angry Birds over some kind of cliff, I actually think more people should spend time thinking about where they’ve been in an effort to figure out where they want to go. But, I digress!

In honor of the fresh start we’re given each year, I’m sharing my reflections publicly ... Read Full Column (January 2013)

Enjoying the by-product of focusing on people
The core of agriculture is production; however, the world in which production matters has been transformed. Somewhere along the way, too many have lost sight of our underlying core … living, breathing people who make decisions based on emotion. Today, we call this group “consumers,” and we rack our brains about how we can tell them our story, how we can help them understand our needs.

Guess what? ... Read Full Column (March 2012)

Feature Stories
Giving South Dakota names a face

Rural woman chooses grace, faith in battle for life
To know Becky Rybak of rural Kimball is to feel a ray of sunshine. She glows with gratitude and shines with grace. Her smile warms your heart. Her faith in God lifts your spirit, and ... Read Full Story (Chamberlain-Oacoma Sun, November 9, 2016)

Diamond J brand stands for strength, resilience and quality
Forty years ago, Neal and Janet Johnson of South Hand County started their married life with nothing but each other and support from their families. ... Read Full Story

Emma's Fight: Fundraiser helps little girl fight for health
Most five-year-olds spend their summers busy wondering what to play or enjoy next. Emma Bohon of rural Gann Valley dreams of such a carefree list. Instead, her “five-year-old list” includes frequent doctor visits. She routinely naps, and on her worst days, she can barely... Read Full Story
(Chamberlain-Oacoma Sun, April 6, 2016)

Celebrate the life you are given: Gunner's story
What makes a child normal? Is it the rate at which he reaches pediatrician-approved milestones on the developmental chart? Or, the way he dresses? Maybe where he lives? For anyone who knows eight-year-old Gunner Olesen of Chamberlain, the answer to that question is easy. ... Read Full Story (Chamberlain-Oacoma Sun, April 30, 2014)

Acclaimed chef adores beef
Most people don’t check into a hospital for the gourmet food. However, thanks to Amanda Viau (pronounced View) and her team of 70 chefs, healthy, wholesome foods fill the menus at Avera McKennan’s main, cancer center and behavioral health campuses in Sioux Falls ... Read Full Story (January 2012)

Compassion, humor and sleeping with window open lead to long life
Her lineage can be traced to a signer of The Declaration of Independence, Commonwealth politicians, English knights and Scottish lords among many others. However, to those who know and love her, Lois (McNeil) Duxbury wears a badge of humility decorated with compassion, loyalty and humor.

Though she’s not sure where the last century went so quickly, Lois will turn 100 ... Read Full Story (August 2012)

Rising star stopped short in tragedy, lives on in family, friends and ‘his babies’
As a young boy, he adored farm life and was known to gently place his tiny hand over top his Grandpa’s as they rode together in the manual pick-up. As the oldest child, he was instinctively protective of his three siblings. As a young man, his infectious smile, caring nature and devoted work ethic told those who loved him most he was going to be a successful man and wonderful father.

While the dreams Jordan Mack had tragically ended in a farm accident on April 17, his young legacy has only just begun, especially within the cattle industry. ... Read Full Story (August 2011)

Local Food Programs: Overcoming the Challenges to Find Success
Getting fresh, local produce back into communities has gained popularity in recent years, especially on our country’s seaboards and large metro areas in the Midwest. A growing number of restaurant menus boast farm-fresh products from meat and dairy to fruits and veggies. Even in the smallest of towns, community garden plots and farmers’ markets are anticipated events.

With so many communities across the country yielding research that supports the incomparable benefits of local food programs, one might wonder: Is there progress in South Dakota? ... Read Full Story (August 2013)