Meet Robert Korn May 25, 2019 November 19, 2019 Owner, Ralphβs Feed βΒ Β South Dakota Robert Kornβs father started a feed dealership 43 years ago from the garage of their family home, where his first load of feed was delivered. He was so proud of the business that he put his name on it: Ralphβs Feed, Inc., which Robert now owns and operates along with his wife and two grown sons. βItβs completely family-run,β says Korn, who has worked at Ralphβs since high school, taking his only break to major in Business at Dakota State College in Madison, South Dakota. βMy dad put his name on it and his life into it.β The dealership has sold Kent Feeds for the past 39 years and is part of βthe best dealer network in the feed industry,β according to Beef Product Manager Teri Walsh of Kent Nutrition Group (KNG). βRobertβs passion for his customers, and the feed industry, is obvious within a few minutes of talking with him,β Walsh says. βItβs that passion that contributes to the success of any dealer, and the same passion that Kent delivers with every load of product.β Korn doesnβt take credit for Ralph Feedβs success. Itβs customer loyalty to the Kent products that has allowed his family to build strong relationships over the years β connections that continue to help the business grow. And it doesnβt hurt that Kent is βa very hands-on companyβ that does its best to help dealers stay competitive too, he says. βCustomers want to be caught up with the latest information in the industry, and get good service at a fair price,β Korn says. βItβs pretty simple.β James Grothe, who works with Korn as Kentβs territory sales manager in South Dakota, says Ralphβs is well-known for the priority it places on service β from getting the feed to the client to helping them with bigger-picture goals. Grothe and Korn often work together on sales calls, formulating rations, and talking to customers about various Kent products. βRobert wants to see them succeed and be profitable and he works very hard at that,β Grothe says. βHeβs helped many young farmers get started and grow into animal agriculture. He works very hard to support the community.β Kornβs wife, Cheryl, is the bookkeeper at Ralphβs Feed, and his sons, Aaron and Josh, are active in managing the dealership with him. Eventually they will take over the business, just as Korn did after his father passed away, he says. βAt least I hope they do,β Korn says with a chuckle. βThatβs the plan.β Robert lives with his wife, Cheryl, in Freeman, South Dakota, where he was born and raised. He enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with his sons and two young grandchildren. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Print Email Related Posts Jillianβs #MyTrustStory for Kent Feeds Read how Rooster and Forrest β Jillianβs rehabilitated standardbreds β inspired the recent opening of Peaceful Haven Farm, where horses can regain a healthy mind, body and soul, thanks in… Read More Charlyβs #MyTrustStory for Kent Feeds Barrel-racing quarter horses, frisbee-obsessed aussie/collies and an O.G. lady (a.k.a. an elderly layer hen) named Gwenny β they mean everything to Charly, the teacher turned stay-at-home mom who runs Forever… Read More Meet Mary Schroeder β Senior Formulations Manager Mary Schroeder oversees a formulation team that works with Kentβs nutritionists to develop new products, deliver new formulas to manufacturing facilities and evaluate costs for each ingredient. Read More