A few weeks ago, we packed up our family and headed to the Kontz family farm. Just 40 miles north of our home in Sioux Falls, Morgan Kontz and her growing family operate a farm made up of more than 100 acres of land, 500 cattle and roughly 100 chickens. While it’s easy to quantify this side of their business, it’s more difficult to measure the true impact the Kontz family is making on other families around the world.
As a small-town Iowa girl with family roots in the farming industry, I know first-hand the dedication it takes to operate a farm. Thanks to Hungry for Truth, a local initiative with a mission to connect consumers with farmers, we had the pleasure of enjoying an informational and fun afternoon on the Kontz farm. Being able to take our young family to see the equipment, livestock and land the Kontz family works so hard to maintain was an invaluable experience.
During our tour, we had the opportunity to learn about their day-to-day life on the farm. I’m sharing the Q & A from my conversation with Morgan.
Q: How did you get started in farming?A: My husband has been farming with his family his entire life and he has multiple generations of farmers in his family. I, on the other hand, moved to South Dakota in 2008 and have been on the farm full time with him since we were married in 2009. We have been farming solely together, separate from his family, for the last two years.
Morgan Kontz & her family
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about farmers?A: I would say the biggest misconception for farmers is that we farm the way we “used to.” A lot of times people picture an idyllic scene with the farmer working and raising multiple species on the farm while the wife is cooking, gardening and raising the kiddos. Things have really evolved and women are playing an equal part in the operation as the men. We have also embraced the power of technology and what it can do for us as farmers. We are able to farm more land with less input costs. We’re also using less of everything because of how precise technology allows us to be.
Q: How do you address “mainstream” concerns about GMO’s?A: The biggest thing is simply clarifying what those terms mean. When you slap on labels saying “No GMO,” “No antibiotics,” etc., it can seem misleading because in some cases those products are not even genetically modified anyway. But, simply putting a “No” in front of the terms make it seem scary. For me, it’s all about explaining what those labels even mean and offering resources to find answers to any questions they might have. I encourage any and all questions and I do my best to answer. If I can’t answer it a particular question, I find someone who can.
Q: How do you see technology impacting how you run your farm?A: Technology is definitely something we have embraced. Technology, GPS, precision technology: all of these advances allow us to evolve how we farm to do an even better of a job. With GPS technology, we are able to take precise measurements of our fields and with soil testing available for every square foot of those fields we are able to pick areas that need the most attention. Together those two things can identify areas that need more fertilizer or could use less fertilizer.
Q: What’s the biggest hurdle you face as a farmer?A: The biggest hurdles I think we face today is not being open about what we do. For years we have let others tell our stories for us. Whether it be animal abuse stories or how we use pesticides. Historically, we kept our heads down and kept doing the work. Now, I think it’s more important than ever to be transparent about what we do and why we do it.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?A: The most rewarding part for me is probably working with my husband on the farm and being on the same page on where we stand. We both value each others opinion on certain subjects and we play to each others strengths and weaknesses. Not many people can say they truly enjoy working with their spouse, but I really do. I love being passionate about agriculture with him. I love growing our operation and trying new things with him. It pulls our family together and makes us stronger as a couple. We both are very involved in the agricultural industry. Whether it’s telling our personal stories, helping pass policies through Congress or simply being a part of boards that offer resources and can answer questions for other farmers.
Q: If you could share one thing about what you do with someone who knew nothing about the life of a farmer, what would it be?A: It’s hard! I have a degree in Agricultural Education and do not come from a farm background. When I met my husband I felt confident in a lot of Ag related subjects. But I learned very quickly that there is a difference between teaching it and actually doing it. Not in necessarily the knowledge base, but just in the level of how busy farmers are. Our life revolves around feeding our cattle. We make choices all year long depending on the time of year or the season we are in. We go strong for many long hours if we see weeks of rain or snow on the horizon. Even after nearly 10 years of working on the farm, I am still learning daily what being a farmer truly entails.
As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, don’t forget where the meal truly comes from and the work it takes to get it to your table. Thank a farmer.
xo
-M
This post is sponsored by Hungry For Truth. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Midwest In Style and the businesses that make this blog possible.
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