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Farmington IL | I grew up on this farm. I have been here virtually every day of my life. In 1986 when grandad retired it was not the best time in agriculture so dad, who worked off the farm kept farming the home place and a couple of close farms that were rented and let the rest of it go. I was still in high school and spent all my time here helping out. Went off to college with the knowledge I probably would never get to farm full time but I would always be around the family farm and that was ok. Went to work at the local Case IH dealership in the parts department on a internship. Ended up a few years later as parts manager. Enjoyed the job(most days!) and got to know all the area farmers. In 1998 while leaning on the parts counter shooting the breeze with a local farmer the talk turned towards the future. He said to come out and see him. We talked it over and I went to work for him. It was all very upfront and we had a plan. I worked for him for 3 years. Then we formed a corporation and we have made things work out where he started working out of the operation as I bought in. It has taken alot of hard work and commitment on my part and alot of trust and financial help from him. We have a very strong and viable farm operation that I could never have got started on my own, I walked on with a lunch box and now run a thriving farm operation a decade later, and he is able to participate as much as he wishes, or as little as he wants, in the day to day operations. He truely enjoys the farm, in fact I realized the other day he has harvested every acre so far this fall. We are both very happy and better off financially with each others help. We are getting close to finshing this deal as he turned 68 while cutting beans this fall. I remember the first day we sat down with the banker and talked about this. He wanted to know if I was a opptimist or pessimist. My partner said "its worse that, hes a realist!" We have had alot of fun and never a cross word between us. People who dont know us just think we are father and son. Its too bad more people cant make this work. It is suprising how so many people view a partnership of two generations as real benefit. We get alot of nice comments about how we have been able to work together and accomplish what we have. Pretty simple, without alot of help, from one man, I would still be in the implement business somewhere. Pretty hard to thank someone enough when they have done this much for you. | |
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Probably asking for it but: How did YOU start your grain farming operation?
