Riley Dahl
Anyone who has traveled through Flasher has likely noticed a set of hay bales along the south side of the highway, across from Fitterers Gas & Oil.
Each year, the Morton County Rowdy Ranchers 4-H Club gathers at its September meeting to plan its next hay bale design. The group chooses a theme to honor, celebrate or dedicate its work to an event, occasion or even a person.
This year’s inspiration came from the 250th birthday of the United States. With the American flag proudly painted across five hay bales and a sixth reading “God Bless America,” the Rowdy Ranchers dedicated this year’s display to America.
Ideas for each design come from a group effort during the September meeting. Members offer suggestions before voting on their favorite. Once the decision is made, supplies are gathered and creativity begins.
“The tradition began in 2020 when the Morton County Extension office created a challenge to local 4-H clubs to create a hay bale design. The Rowdy Ranchers participated in 2020, won the challenge, and have continued the tradition every year since,” says Tasha Bohl, leader of the Rowdy Ranchers.
Bohl says members look forward to the October meeting, when they come together to bring a little extra joy to the community and travelers passing through.
“We have many talented members willing to use spray paint to create something on a large scale,” Bohl says. “Some of my favorites were the Bulldog, Ferdinand, and this year’s flag design is so neat to celebrate America,” she continued.
Over the years, the club has created a variety of designs, including a Holstein cow, a Storm football player, a John Deere tractor, farm animals and the Statue of Liberty. The Rowdy Ranchers are grateful to the Frank family for donating the hay bales each year, as well as providing the use of their tractor.
They also extend their appreciation to the Ternes family for helping maintain the space along the highway and to every community member who has helped make this annual project possible.
Decorating, however, comes with its fair share of funny moments.
“With this being our October meeting, the weather is always a factor,” says Bohl. “One year we had quite a bit of wind, and a couple of members turned red from the wind blowing the paint. The next day happened to be school picture day,” she continued. Fortunately, the students were able to get the paint washed off just in time for pictures.
“Our members and families take such pride in the designs they have created and hearing many people talk about them,” Bohl says. She notes that many people honk as they drive by the busy crew, eager to see what the finished product will look like.
“Our members came ready to work and completed the flag in a timely manner. The members jumped in and within 50 minutes, the flag was completed,” she says.
For one Rowdy Rancher, the hope is that the hay bales bring a little joy to anyone who passes by, wherever they may be headed.
“I hope the hay bales can make someone smile when they drive by,” says Madalyn Bohl. “I hope something as simple as these hay bale designs we do could make someone’s day or even just make them think, ‘Oh, that’s pretty cool!’”
When asked about her favorite design so far, Madalyn chose the cow the club created during its first year decorating the hay bales.
Madalyn has been a club member for 11 years and has made countless memories along the way.
“My most memorable moment in 4-H would probably be showing my rabbit at the State Fair two years ago,” she says. It was her first time attending the State Fair, and she wasn’t expecting it to go very well.
“I ended up winning overall intermediate rabbit showman, so that was very memorable,” she says.
Whether at the county fair or during a monthly meeting, Madalyn says the Rowdy Ranchers always have fun together.
“4-H is also a really great experience because it pushes me out of my comfort zone a little bit and maybe makes me do things I wouldn’t normally do,” Madalyn says.
Another member who has grown up through the Rowdy Ranchers is current club president Darron Frank.
Having been involved since first or second grade, Frank says the club has played an important role in his life.
“I think it’s a blast. It means a lot since first grade, and being able to work with the younger kids is always great,” Frank says.
As president, Frank enjoys the opportunity to work with younger members and help them get involved. He sees the club as a place where older members can set an example and encourage the next generation of 4-H members.
Frank also has experience in the livestock projects offered through 4-H. He currently shows a heifer and a steer, a journey that began about five years ago. Before moving into cattle, he started with rabbits and gradually worked his way up to larger livestock projects.
When it comes to the club’s annual hay bale designs, Frank remembers the farm animal display from two years ago as his favorite.
Looking ahead, Frank hopes to use his position as president to show younger members what a good leader looks like and give them an idea of what being involved in 4-H is all about.
Madalyn is the daughter of Tasha Bohl, and the Bohl family is grateful for the opportunity to be involved with the Rowdy Ranchers 4-H Club.
“Our family has been involved with the Rowdy Ranchers since our oldest daughter was seven,” Tasha says. 2026 will mark Tasha’s fifth year as the club leader.
“I would like to thank the previous Rowdy Rancher volunteers and families who helped shape this club into what it is today,” she says. “I love that this organization is all about the youth and helping them learn and succeed!”
Beyond the decorated hay bales along the highway, the Rowdy Ranchers play an active role in their community. The club has donated to the Flasher Area Food Pantry, created bags for the Spirit of Life Outreach Program, helped local bull producers at their annual bull sale, offered scholarships to local students and made May Day baskets for neighbors.
Members also enjoy spending time together at Morton County 4-H Achievement Days, summer potlucks and club Christmas parties, as well as playing a game of kickball.
“I am so proud of the Rowdy Ranchers for many reasons, but our members and families are always willing to lend a helping hand at the community, county or state level,” Tasha says. “The four H’s stand for Hands, Heart, Head and Health, and I can honestly say that from our older to our younger members they help in many ways.”
While the designs may change each year, the purpose behind them remains the same, bringing people together, making memories and sharing a little happiness with those who pass through Flasher.
If you are interested in joining a 4-H club, contact your local Extension office or visit https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/extension-topics/4-h-youth-development/become-4-h-member.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here