We are a 5th generation farming operation in Pike County, in western Illinois. Three sons with mom and dad comprise a truly "family farm".
Russ graduated from University of Illinois majoring in Ag Mechanization. Wife Donna graduated from the LPN program at John Wood Community College. Oldest son Bryan graduated from Western Illinois University in Ag Science. His wife Kim graduated from Culver-Stockton College and received her Masters degree from William Woods University and is a teacher at the Middle School of our local Western Community Unit School District (includes Barry, Hull, Kinderhook and New Canton towns). Their sons are Dawson 8 years old and Jayce who is 6. Middle son Gavin graduated from University of Illinois majoring in Ag Economics. His older son, Clark, is 13 years old! His younger son, Preston is 2! Youngest son Kris graduated from Southern Illinois University majoring in Agri-Business. He is married to Deanna, who graduated from Truman State University with a Marketing major and is the Human Resources Director for American Convenience (AMCON) in Quincy, IL. Their oldest daughter, Hannah Mae, is 10 years old and oldest son, Aidan is 7. They also have twins...Alyssa and Max who are 5!
Hopefully some or all of these grandchildren will farm and be part of the sixth generation to continue this operation!
We have a wide range of talent and assets for our farming operation.
The 2009 harvest was difficult...late, high moisture corn, muddy fields, and elevators that stopped accepting deliveries at noon or earlier. We spent a lot of time waiting for trucks to return. The three combines hold more than one semi-trailer can haul. Each graincart holds more than one semi-load as well.
The below photo shows us planting corn with an earlier planter. The stainless steel tanks on the tractor hold 1000 gallons of herbicide spray mixture (for weed control). The 24 row planter plants a strip 60 feet wide with each pass. When everything is working correctly, we can plant the seeds, spray for weed control and apply insecticide on nearly an acre each minute! This lower photo is another view of the same planter. Each row has a box for seed and another for insecticide, so we have 48 of these yellow boxes to keep filled!
