I grew up on a hog and row crop farm. After attending Kansas State University and meeting my wife, I took a job as a loan officer with a local bank. Then I worked as a seed dealer. I was approached by one of my customers who was ready to retire and looking for someone to pick up some acres that my family actually used to farm. It’s awesome to be back farming on those same acres today.

The thing that keeps me working with Farm Credit today is all the expertise that they have and being able to bounce ideas off of my financing officer. The communication has been the greatest thing about working with them.

Working with a cooperative is different than working with other lenders because you actually feel like you are a part of something. You have a voice and a vote in electing new board members.

What I enjoy most about farming is the flexibility. I love knowing that I am making a difference in the world, and it’s awesome having my family around to help and for my kids to be involved on the farm.

My advice for other producers getting started in agriculture is find a mentor. That was a big takeaway for us at the Side By Side conference – find a mentor, take some of their advice and ideas and make them your own as you build your operation.