Matt and Michelle

Why I chose agriculture

I simply have a passion for it. I’ve helped out on the farm since I was young. I’ve always seen myself in agriculture.

How I prepared myself for agricultural business

When I was younger I spent a lot of time working with and learning from my father and grandpa. In high school, I was active in FFA and I worked for other farmers in the area and got the opportunity to learn from them. I do a lot of the mechanical work on the farm, so my John Deere TECH degree from Northeast Iowa Community College has been well used.

Our greatest challenge

Mother Nature. Whether we’re cleaning buildings, getting hay out or planting the crop, beating the rain can be difficult. And when it isn’t the rain, it’s the snow — keeping the roads open and getting the work done.

How we know we’re heading in the right direction

When we are able to expand the land we farm.

The future of our operation and industry

We want to expand our operation. I also hope to see more young people like us return to family farms.

What I enjoy most about farming

I like implementing new techniques and equipment that improve our farm practices. I enjoy being my own boss and the freedom that entails.

Why we work with FCSAmerica

We like working with FCSAmerica because our loan officer and the staff are tuned into what we are looking for. They answer our questions about our operation and help us find the right route to take when applying for a loan.