Summers Manufacturing Promotes Fortin to South Dakota Territory Manager

Aug 25, 2022

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Blake Fortin has been promoted to South Dakota Territory Manager for Summers Manufacturing. In his new position he will travel throughout the state to work closely with dealers and customers. He will also attend trade shows, conduct field demonstrations, place orders, and ensure the successful delivery and implementation of products.

Fortin has worked at Summers for nine years as a service technician. This experience provided him with vast product knowledge as well as the opportunity to work with existing dealers and customers. Before joining Summers, he gained additional experience as a service technician for a major agricultural equipment manufacturer.

Fortin is originally from the Aberdeen, South Dakota, area. He later moved to Illinois, where he graduated high school and earned an associate degree in diesel and ag power technology from Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois, before eventually moving back to South Dakota.

Source : Farm Equipment

Video: California Farm Bureau 2025 Farm Dog of the Year Contest Winner - Willy - CAFB 107th Annual Meeting

Meet Willy: California Farm Bureau’s 2025 Farm Dog of the Year!

We’re excited to introduce Willy, a miniature long-haired dachshund with a big heart and even bigger courage, and the Grand Prize winner of this year’s Farm Dog of the Year Contest!

Willy may be small, but he’s become an indispensable partner on owner Marshal Hagedorn’s forestry and cattle operations in Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties. Adopted in 2023, he quickly found his place on the ranch, helping manage critters, tagging along for long days in the woods, and offering unwavering companionship during demanding logging work.

Willy has even taken naturally to moving cattle, surprising calves (and more than a few full-grown cows!) with his burst of energy from the tall grass. As Marshal put it: “He goes with me everywhere every single day.”

Congratulations to Willy and his family, a perfect example of how every good farm dog, no matter the size, helps keep California agriculture running strong.