Norm Oeding: School Volunteer
Frequently school volunteers are born out of a current or past association with the school or
district. Often they are parents or grandparents of students, retired teachers, or former students
themselves. Rarely does a volunteer show up from out of the blue and say, “How can I help?”
But that is exactly what happened in the case of Norm Oeding, Newton USD 373’s nominee for
a Friends of Education award in the category of School Volunteer.
Norm Oeding came to the Harvey County area fairly recently, assuming the management of
Janzen Family Farms in 2007. Janzen Family Farms is a grass-fed beef and organic grain farm
situated northeast of Newton. Owned and operated by the Janzen family for more than a century,
Janzen Family Farms and Oeding’s recent addition, Little Red Hen Bakery, offer organic grassfed
beef, stone ground grains, and fresh-baked, whole grain breads to area residents.
Norm Oeding is a unique individual, thoughtful and relaxed, embracing a lifestyle that is
healthier and less stressful than the frantic pace most of us observe in today’s world. He is a
good example for the rest of us, especially our children. Norm makes himself available to assist
with any school in the district, but he has made special connections with two of them: Walton
21st Century Rural Life Center and Newton Alternative High School.
Not your average educational institutions, both schools cater to the needs of their students in very
unique and innovative ways. Both recognize the uniqueness of each student and customize the
learning process to their specific needs. Perhaps that’s why Oeding resonates so well with these
schools. He recognizes that nurturing growth and development to full potential, whether in an
animal, a plant, or a child, takes extra effort but the end result is worth it.
At Janzen Family Farms, Oeding doesn’t believe in doing things the easiest way, he believes in
doing them the best and healthiest way. Hence, the farm’s use of wholly organic farming and
processing methods.
Growing up on a family farm in Kingman County, Oeding has always been enthusiastic about
growing healthy things. It’s only natural that this enthusiasm should translate to wanting to help
grow healthy kids. He does this by donating his time, talents, and farm products to the schools.
Most importantly, he helps the students help themselves.
Many local businesses and individuals are willing to donate funds for school projects and
activities, but Norm encourages the students to learn while they are raising funds. The NAHS
students raise funds each year to attend an annual adventure experience in Colorado.
The trip is expensive and the students, nearly all of whom are low-income, must work hard all
year, conducting fundraising activities to earn the money to go. When Norm came along, he
offered not just products the students could sell, but creative ideas of value-added items they
could make and market. On behalf of Janzen Family Farms, Oeding donated flour for the
students to make bierocks and gift-in-a jar mixes. He also offered to teach them how to make
organic jellies and jams.
By trying to help students help themselves, Norm Oeding models the same respect and care for
students that he shows for the earth in practicing sustainable, renewable farming methods. Both
require extra effort and care. There are no shortcuts to nurturing healthy growth and
development. The main ingredient is patience.
Acting on behalf of Janzen Family Farms, Oeding has donated hundreds of pounds of flour and
meat to Walton Rural Life Center and Newton Alternative High School, underwriting school
fundraising projects such as bierock sales, gifts in a jar, and hamburger dinners at school events.
Janzen Family Farms beef has also graced the Walton school’s lunch tables: a welcome donation
as the main course for lunch. Walton lunches are not your average school lunch: no processed
meat products or canned fruit in light corn syrup here. Meals are served family style in large,
passable containers and much of the food is donated by area farmers or grown at the school.
Oeding also gives students free tours of the farm and flour mill, providing a fascinating learning
experience. The opportunity to tour the farm gives the Walton students ideas to implement in
their garden and greenhouse. Oeding even gets ideas from the students sometimes. Inspired by
Walton’s sale of salsa kits, made of ingredients grown in the students’ greenhouse, Oeding
created Janzen Family Farms burger kits, including fresh ground beef and whole grain buns
produced at the farm.
When asked if there are other things he might like to do with Newton students Oeding answered,
“I’d like to work with the students who operate the high school greenhouse in the vocational Ag
program, and I’d like to hire a student as an intern at the farm.”
Norm Oeding has a passion for growing things, and the patience to grow them healthy and hardy.
Newton USD 373 is grateful that his passion includes helping kids. We respectfully suggest
Norm Oeding of Janzen Family Farms be honored with a Friend of Education Award in the
category of School Volunteer.