The Hofer/Loewen Family Papers primarily document the agricultural operations, political involvement, and personal history of the Hofer family in Beadle County, South Dakota. Spanning from 1947 to 2000, the collection includes detailed farm accounting records maintained through various record book formats, including those issued by South Dakota State College Extension, National Farmers’ publications, and Farm Credit Services. These ledgers provide comprehensive data on land use, livestock inventories, crop production, machinery, expenditures, and farm business summaries.

Also included are materials from Ben Hofer’s 1996 campaign for the South Dakota State Senate, such as advertising, posters, newspaper clippings, and promotional items. Additional content consists of biographical material on Ben Hofer and his father Josua Hofer, a funeral program, photographs, and a farm history written by Elise Waldner. Notably, the collection contains acreage measurements for Milford Township compiled by Josua Hofer in 1940, offering valuable local land use documentation. A series of calendars captures daily appointments and activities, contributing further insight into the family’s agricultural and civic life.

This collection offers researchers a longitudinal record of farm management in eastern South Dakota across five decades, illustrating evolving agricultural practices and rural economics. It also reflects the political and civic engagement of a farming family, particularly through Ben Hofer’s campaign materials and local documentation compiled by Josua Hofer. The materials offer researchers insight into mid-to-late 20th-century rural life, land use, and regional agricultural history in Beadle County.