South Dakota Farmers Union
11/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/06/2024 15:34
Get to Know the Dawn Melius Agency, Faulkton
by Lura Roti
Insurance agent Dawn Melius always wanted to be a teacher. While she was completing her elementary education degree at Northern State University, she married Faulkton farmer Kelly Melius.
Moving to the Melius family farm near Faulkton changed what Dawn's classroom looked like, but it did not take away her opportunity to teach. Instead of teaching elementary students while Dawn waited for an opening at the local school, she began working for a Farmers Union Insurance agent.
"No one goes to school to be an insurance agent, but there is a lot of education that I do as an insurance agent," Dawn said. "Insurance is complex, and it is important that individuals understand the coverage they are getting to ensure it is the coverage they need."
Twelve years after Dawn and Kelly married, she had the opportunity to teach fourth grade and help coach volleyball and track, so she left insurance to formally use the degree she attained at college. At about the same time, Kelly's second career was beginning to take off.
In 2000, Kelly and a friend patented a bale feeder, so in addition to raising crops and cattle, Kelly began Common Sense Manufacturing. As demand grew for the quality ag products he built, what had been a side business, now needed more of Kelly's attention. With Common Sense Manufacturing taking more of Kelly's time and their family expanding, (February of 2007 Dawn and Kelly welcomed their fifth child), it became necessary for Dawn to return home full time.
"Kelly was still farming and ranching and now he was traveling to farm shows, so I gave up my teaching career because our family needed me," Dawn explained.
Even though she missed her students, Dawn appreciated the opportunity to have more time with her children on the farm.
"One thing about raising kids on the farm, is as a family you are working together. It is not easy work, it is hard work, but you are all working together in the business," Dawn said. "When Common Sense Manufacturing got to the size that Kelly needed to focus on it full time and we decided to lease our farm ground, I missed our entire family working together to raise crops and cattle."
In 2018, when her youngest son, Chase, was 11, Dawn was ready to return to a career in education, and her classroom of choice was Farmers Union Insurance.
"While I was on the farm full time with our children, Farmers Union Insurance changed their business structure so now we can offer our clients more options," she said. "And because most of my clients are farmers or ranchers, I understand their lifestyle and when their busy seasons are - whether it is crops or cattle. So, I know when they may need a gentle reminder about something or I know what type of questions to ask to ensure they have the coverage they need."
In addition to her involvement in work and her family, Dawn is also active in the Faulkton community. She teaches religious education at St. Thomas in Faulkton and she and Kelly organize the community's annual Wild West Days Car Show.
Contact:
605-380-9464