AS I SEE IT
By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor
Over the past several years, one of the questions that many people have asked me is, ‘When are you going to retire?’ To which I would always respond, ‘when someone buys the McKenzie County Farmer.’ Well I guess the answer to that question has been answered as it was announced that effective July 1, Flag Family Media is going to be the new owners of the Farmer.
And as I am now telling everyone, the sale marks a bittersweet, yet exciting time for Lisa and me as we can finally begin moving into retirement. I say begin moving to that new, and yet uncharted, stage of our lives because we will continue to serve as consultants to help the new owners with a smooth transition over the next several months.
For the past 39 years, it has truly been a labor of love to have helped grow the Farmer into one of the best weekly newspapers in North Dakota. I have been to more celebrations, fairs, rodeos, high school sporting events and community happenings than I can possibly remember. Publishing a newspaper is a 24/7 job. It’s a lot like having dairy cattle. The cows need daily care and so does the newspaper. It may be a thankless job, but the rewards are many.