ADM

Meet the Myers Family!

Jason Myers joined his grandfather and uncle in managing the family farm about two years ago, growing a variety of crops ranging from winter wheat, spring wheat and chickpeas. His time working outside of farming prepared him for embracing more of the “outside-the-box” thinking being applied to farming in an effort to implement practices that reduce impact on the land.

“There is a lot more strategy that goes into farming today,” said Jason, when asked about technology advances. “Better knowledge of fertilizer, improved management techniques, more wheat varieties and planting options are available, including new crops such as chickpeas.” The increase in farming pulses such as lentils and chickpeas reflect how farmers are reacting and adjusting to market preferences, along with consumer desire to better understand how their food is grown and the broader farm-to-table movement.

Jason continued, “I think it’s great that people want to know more about the origins of their food. They might even learn how much effort goes into that product on the shelf, the risks farmers encounter every growing season and how many people each farmer feeds.” The Myers family is hard at work feeding the world, while applying land-management strategies and testing new technologies in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture. It’s a big job, and through ADM Grower Connect, they hope to better connect consumers to their food and increase awareness of the challenges facing modern farmers.

Meet the Baum Family!

Despite not growing up on a farm, Jake Baum has been passionate about farming for as long as he can remember. He was raised in Highwood, Montana, nestled in a valley between the Missouri River and the Highwood Mountains, 29 miles outside of Great Falls. As a boy, he worked on a neighbor’s farm until he attended college at Montana State in Bozeman, where he earned a degree in wheat breeding. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Jenna, he worked in agribusiness in nearby Fort Benton before receiving a call six years ago to return to Highwood.

The farmer he worked for as a boy was ready to pass the reigns to the next generation, and he wanted Jake to take them. Recently, Jake, Jenna and their three young children — Kade (6), Addie (5) and Tessa (1) — moved to the farm. Now living and working there, Jake thoughtfully ponders questions about how to sustainably serve the land for future generations.

He currently farms a range of crops, including winter wheat, spring wheat, durum, barley, peas and chickpeas. When asked about the diversity, he talked about the importance of sustainable farming.

“Five years ago, we grew wheat exclusively,” said Jake. “Now, we understand crop rotation is essential in managing soil pH and the use of fertilizers. Chickpeas and lentils give the land a break between wheat crops.” As he looks out over a sea of green and gold fields where his children are playing, Jake knows his ability to adopt effective and efficient processes is vital. “I’m mindful that we want to pass this on to them.”

Meet the Morter Family!

Farming has long been in Brian Morter’s blood. He grew up near his grandfather’s land in Oregon, which is where he always envisioned his future.

Brian now lives with his wife, Courtney, on the family farm in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Brian’s parents, Roger and Carla, farm the Oregon homestead. Brian and his dad manage the farms together and travel the 330 miles between the two to ensure each farm’s unique needs are met. Courtney shares her husband’s passion and commitment to the family farm and all that comes with it. Her goal is to make sure the family implements sustainable farming practices. They are beginning to use no-till farming practices to reduce erosion and soil compaction. Courtney remarked, “The big advantage to no-till operations is the time you save. Time is the resource that farmers never have enough of, so going to a minimal-till operation really saves time, as well as fuel.”

Even though farming has changed drastically since Brian’s grandfather owned the land, he is extremely passionate about the farming way of life. He says, “I love it. I think it is the best lifestyle a person can have. We live off the land, we work with our hands, we watch everything grow and harvest our own crops. There is so much fulfillment in that. It is a great way to raise a family. It is a great way to make a living.”

Meet the Tee Family!

When it comes to raising kids and farming, Jeff and Kaci Tee of Latah, Washington can relate to the old adage, “it takes a village…” Parents to four children spanning the ages of 7 to 13, the Tees know it takes a network of like-minded people sharing resources to improve farming practices, change consumers’ perceptions of farming and help feed the world.

Jeff commented, “It’s nice to have a group of young farmers in the community who you can talk with. They are both friends and colleagues, and they are smart, hardworking, business-savvy people. We routinely and openly share information in support of one another.”

Aside from sharing resources, knowledge and best practices in the field, there’s another aspect of this extended farming family that makes it extraordinary. While the connection between farming families is strong, the Tees recognize a major disconnect between food on the store shelf and the farmers who grow it. Jeff said, “I’m not sure consumers understand how crucial agriculture is to keeping food on the shelf. If all farmers were to stop harvesting wheat today, in 47-52 days the world would be out of wheat; that’s an eye-opening fact.”

The Tees want everyone to know, “farmers work very hard to provide consumers with the best, safest and most economical food supply in the world, and we take a lot of pride in doing it.”

To learn more about ADM, visit https://www.adm.com/en-us/sustainability/.