What do you get when you mix two city kids fresh out of college, a 100-acre property, and a dream to turn a $5,000 down payment into a fully functioning farm? The safest answer would be a disaster waiting to occur, but Hugh and Pat Kramer's decision to do this very thing resulted in much more than youthful ignorance. What began from a simple dream of owning a farm became one of the Midwest fencing industry's greatest revolutions: K Fence. Their initial need to reliably contain their farm animals has since transformed into a 40+ year service to the agriculture community, in which they introduced New Zealand energizers and high-tensile fencing. For farmers across the Midwest, using Hugh's developments has significantly advanced their ability to contain livestock while keeping predators out. After over 44 years of dedication, however, the two will pass the reins onto Billy Krusmark of Mazeppa, who will carry on K Fence's legacy as it merges into Outback Fence & Fabrication.
Explaining this and the details of Hugh's journey in a single paragraph is nearly impossible. The story must start in the 1960s when he and his wife, both students at Hamline University, first weighed the decision to purchase a farm. Deciding to give up his pursuits as a member of the Minneapolis rock band "More-Tishans," Hugh and his wife bought four hundred laying pullets, fifty ewes, and several rams alongside the farm. After realizing the difficulty of containing sheep, however, they quickly saw through the holes of traditional fencing. Fueled by these and other farmers' issues, Hugh started combing through New Zealand magazines to learn about a revolutionary alternative: high-tensile fencing. Compared to traditional wire, it was easy to see that this replacement was much stronger, more durable, and cheaper despite the increased galvanization. Terry Campbell, a longtime customer of K Fence, was among the first to use his premium materials to manage a herd.
"Hugh provided the newest technology in high-tensile fencing and low-impedance electric fence chargers when farmers began rotational grazing in the late 1980s. His equipment allowed cattle farmers to utilize grasslands and previously unused woodlands to efficiently feed livestock. The unstable economic climate of the mid-80s left farmers struggling to survive, and grazing cattle was a solution. It was quite a change from conventional farming of the time."
Pulling off this bold task was only possible with a kickstart Hugh found at Iowa's Farm Progress Days. After acquiring an excellent high-tensile fencing guide curated by several leading businesses, he decided to take the next step and order a skid of wire and a pallet of fence hardware. Using these supplies to build personal and client fences was enough to gather the attention of Koppers and KIWI Fence, who bore responsibility for creating the initial guide. Through a collaboration in 1980, the three changemakers created K Fence. Being one of the Midwest's first businesses to adopt this high-tensile option, they developed a Stay-Tuff woven wire for containing livestock, building solar farm security fences, and several other uses that slowly attracted an audience. By installing and selling fencing equipment and materials, the business put its foot in the ground and slowly carved a name for itself through countless designs and installations.
Hugh Kramer: "We had a field day in 1980 where a New Zealand fence builder created an 800' stretch of high-tensile fence. Farmers tried to stretch the wire by standing on it but could not. In another portion about the low-impedance New Zealand energizers, most farmers doubted the energizer's power and were unhappy about paying four times more. As livestock got out, however, they individually conceded to purchasing them, informing their neighbors of how it contained their livestock. Soon, many farmers valued this new fencing system."
Even after introducing these innovations to the industry, many failed to realize the sheer efficiency of the designs. With a pulse at an astonishing .0003 of a second, these energizers could carry a shock for impressive distances, withstand weed load, and abide by the industry's strict safety standards. As the business expanded into the new millennium, Hugh developed his inventory with 200 psi water pipes and Agri-Fit pipe fittings from Israel. Paired with an expansion into stock tanks and full-flow water valves, they could save clients significant time by effectively dividing water among rotational grazing plots. Staple guns and collated staples incorporated within the last fifteen years also helped like-minded builders and contractors, providing both sides with mutual benefit. The ultimate value of his four-decade journey became apparent when Hugh reflected on his contributions to the fencing community.
"The agriculture fence business is not just about posts, wires, gates, hardware, energizers, and insulators. It is about people. I have enjoyed meeting diverse and interesting individuals over the past 44 years. Our relationships with fence contractors, vendors, government agencies, and farm stores are invaluable. That's what I will miss most about my tenure with K Fence."
At the cusp of his ventures on April 1st, Hugh and Pat decided to sell K Fence to Billy Krusmark of Outback Fence & Fabrication. Although this Mazeppa-based company shares many of K Fence's goals, its custom builds and fabrication is made primarily for the commercial district. Years of direct experience since its founding in 2006 have transformed the locally owned and operated fabrication shop into a fencing powerhouse. By continuing his fabrication and welding services while overseeing K Fence, Billy Krusmark aims to uphold the company's carefully built legacy. Though Hugh will no longer be associated, he looks forward to seeing Billy and his longtime assistant, Jennifer Becker, continue operating in her 24-year role as an office manager. Through the years and countless improvements to the farming community, K Fence has done more than launch the Midwest into a fencing revolution. Although every good thing starts with a dream, their story tells that every good dream continues with a successor.
