We were asked to be part of the Ohio Soybean Council‘s #WhyWeFarm campaign — a chance to share what farming means to us and why we do what we do. Here’s the story we told them.
I’ve been around agriculture my whole life.
Growing up in a dairy and row crop farming family instilled in me a strong work ethic and a drive to improve every day. Some of my earliest memories are riding on the open station tractor with my dad hauling manure (no matter the weather), helping my grandma feed the calves, and watching the dairy cows line up for morning and evening milkings. Those years taught me more than just the basics of farming — they taught me responsibility, hard work, and what it means to care for something bigger than yourself.
After college, I spent a few years working in the corporate world. But eventually, I felt God leading my wife and me back to the farm. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but it was the right one. Coming back wasn’t just about running equipment or planting crops — it was about continuing a legacy my family began decades ago and doing my part to carry it forward.
As a third-generation farmer at Maranatha Acres, I’m proud to carry on the legacy my family started more than 60 years ago. We grow corn, soybeans, and wheat in Northwest Ohio. I’ve grown up watching my grandpa, dad, and uncle make thoughtful, long-term decisions about how to care for both the land and the business. My grandparents laid the foundation for everything we do today. Their example of faith, hard work, and leadership still shapes how we farm. Though my grandpa passed away in 2020, I’m grateful my grandma continues to be involved and remains one of our biggest encouragers.
Now I get to be part of the next chapter — scouting fields, managing inputs, learning how our crops respond through the season, and sharing that journey along the way. Every year brings something new, and that challenge is what keeps me learning and striving to improve.
The work Ohio Soybean Council does to promote our industry, educate others, and develop new uses for soybeans plays a critical role in keeping Ohio agriculture moving forward.
Farming isn’t just what we do — it’s the legacy we’ve been trusted with, and one we hope to pass on someday.
We’re grateful to Ohio Soybean Council for the opportunity to be part of this campaign. You can follow more #WhyWeFarm stories and learn about their work at ohiosoybean.org.
