‘Farmers feed the world’

Dutchman memorializes the role of agriculture that ‘keeps the world alive’By RENAE VANDER SCHAAF, Farm News staff writer

-Farm News photo by Renae Vander Schaaf The Kenaston Family from Nebraska and South Dakota entertained at the 33rd Annual National Old-Time Country and Bluegrass in LeMars.

LEMARS — Bob Everhart was pleased with attendance at the 33rd annual National Old-Time Country & Bluegrass Festival. It was the first year it was held at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds location.

Over 600 performers filled the buildings with guitar and banjo playing, yodeling and singing throughout the week of the festival. Among those performers were Ben Steneker and his daughter Carmen.

Coming from the Netherlands, 73-year-old Ben began singing country almost immediately after he was introduced to the sound — 50 years ago. Known as the Godfather of Country Music in the Netherlands, Ben introduced the music to his native land. He was the only C&W performer in that country for many years.

For a man who likes the C&W music style, it upsets him that this style is the only American music that hasn’t caught on. All other music styles do well there, he said.

Speaking English well, but with a definite Dutch accent, Steneker sings the country songs in English. “That is the language of country music,” he said. “Translating doesn’t work well.”

About three years ago, a farmer asked him to perform a song that would promote agriculture. Agra Promotion is an organization composed entirely of Netherlands farmers. Facing negative publicity and regulations that were making their lives miserable, Agra Promotion was looking for ways to present agriculture in a favorable light.

“Although I live in town, I am more of a country person,” said Ben Steneker, the son of a man who built wagons for farmers. “I was delighted to be asked to help promote agriculture. People don’t realize how hard farmers work, the obstacles they face as they produce the food that feeds the world. I want people to know that.”

There are three songs on his Farmers Feed the World DVD/CD. The first is Farmers of the World, written by the farmer who approached him about singing. Farmers Feed the World, is completely original, written with music composed by Dick Van Altena, Steneker’s song writer. The third is a song written 30 years ago, Take A Ride in the Country.

The DVD is complete with pictures of a dairy barn and John Deere tractors. The DVD/CD proved popular at the Festival selling out quickly. Steneker is hoping that his song title “Farmers Feed the World” will become a worldwide slogan. It is his way to see that farmers are appreciated and not taken for granted.

“Farmers feed the world.

And keep this country alive.”



Contact Renae Vander Schaaf at renaefarmnews@gmail.com.

Section: News    Posted: 9/5/2008