Background:
I am from and currently live in Rochester on my family farm with my wife Hannah and daughter Eleanor. I grew up on a farrow-to-finish hog farm that transitioned to row crop farming with quite a bit of hay and CRP ground. I went to University of Illinois and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Crop Sciences.
Hobbies/Interests:
I enjoy golfing and doing some hunting as time allows. My wife and I enjoy our garden and plants around the house and keep some chickens. I enjoy reading and have recently read some good books that match up well with our industry. The include “Measuring America” and “Back to the Futures” and would recommend them to anyone in ISPFMRA!
Employer:
Farmers National Company
Role/Position:
Farm Manager and Real Estate Sales
Professional Affiliations:
Alpha Gamm Rho, ISPFMRA
How many years have you been in your profession?
It will be 10 years on April 1st 2025!
What influenced you to choose your profession?
I am lucky to have known some farm managers in the area, including Bob Nelson at Agrivest, Roger Leach at US Bank and Keith Waterman at First Mid. I enjoyed visiting with them while I was selling seed and thought it would be great career to enjoy all aspects of farm management, like farm improvements, title work, land transactions and input decisions.
What do you enjoy about your profession?
I really enjoy my clients and the history of their farms. As I dig into title work, I like seeing who owned the farms and how they received the land. Some of my client’s ancestors did amazing things nationally and in Illinois. I also have some fantastic tenants who are great to learn from on best farming practices and farm improvements. I have enjoyed making connections with attorneys, CPA’s, title companies, contractors and gaining knowledge from all of them.
What do you see for the future of your profession?
I wish I had a crystal ball as I still have 30 years ahead of me. I do believe there will always be a need for a farm manager that provides value to their clients, however I do think that value is expanding into many areas. I think there will be great opportunities from the wealth transfer from Boomers to Gen X, Z and Millennials as farm land will be part of that transfer in the next 10-20 years and land managers will be needed for this change.
What is a suggestion you would give to a young person that is considering a career in your profession?
Don’t be afraid to dig in, fall down some rabbit holes and learn! I have a wide network now, but mostly because I listened to clients’ needs and dug into title issues, farm improvements, easements, surveys, appraisals, etc. This kind of work is a great way to network with attorneys, CPA’s, contractors, surveyors, title companies, etc., and to learn from them! I would also recommend finding a mentor: at ISPFMRA there are rooms full of them!
Favorite inspirational quote:
A couple come to mind “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you in trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so” “Focus on process over outcome and the latter will surely come”