The Beginning Farmer program allowed me to buy my first farm ground. With land being so expensive, the lower interest rates have really helped over the years. Saving money wherever you can in farming is huge. I grew up in a farming family north of Ottumwa and have been involved in farming from a very early age. Even though I have my own farm ground now, I continue to farm with my dad. Up until May of last year, I also farmed with my grandma, who lived to 98. We had three generations all together, and hopefully it can be continued in some aspect by my 16-year-old daughter.
-Jon Schuttlefield , Beginning Farmer Programs, Ottumwa