Indiana farmer and Farm Credit Mid-America customer-owner, Jamen, is a man of two worlds; both demanding and both essential to his vision for the future. By night, he works at a local power plant. By day, he manages a 1,650-acre corn and soybean operation, carrying on a legacy started by his grandfather.
Since his father’s passing in 2019, Jamen has balanced these responsibilities to expand his farming operation. “I always remember my dad working hard,” Jamen shared. “He worked nights at the power plant, then he’d come home and farm during the day. That’s the same thing I do. It’s almost like I have to prove a point that I can do it, that I can keep growing.”
Driving Growth Through Partnership
Jamen credits his ability to scale his operation on a close partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America. His financial officer shared, “Jamen is one of the hardest working young men I know and it has been my pleasure to work alongside him as he grows his operation.”
Working with his financial officer, Jamen utilizes farm real estate loans that have allowed him to add acreage even during difficult transitions. “If it wasn’t for Farm Credit Mid-America, I wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Jamen said. “I don’t know how I would have been able to grow.”
As a customer-owned cooperative, Farm Credit Mid-America returns a portion of its net earnings to its customers through its annual Patronage Program†. For farmers like Jamen, these payments function as a return on their investment in the cooperative. “Patronage helps me tremendously. It’s a whole loan payment,” Jamen said. “It’s your payment, and just one benefit, of being a member of this cooperative.” For many customer-owners like Jamen and his family, patronage is just one way Farm Credit Mid-America supports farmers across their service territory.
Sustainable Stewardship and Farm Conservation
To ensure the land remains healthy for his daughters, Jamen has implemented modern farm conservation practices. The farm is nearly 100% no-till and utilizes cover crops like cereal rye and clover to prevent erosion. “I want the ground better than what we’ve got,” Jamen said. “The no-till actually saves us a tremendous amount of time. We couldn’t get across the acres we farm without it.”
Patronage helps me tremendously. It’s a whole loan payment, and just one benefit, of being a member of this cooperative.
Jamen’s commitment to stewardship is rooted in precision technology and soil health to ensure the farm’s longevity. By utilizing soil testing every three years and planter shut-offs to prevent over-application, he minimizes waste while maximizing the efficiency of every acre. “We want to take all those extra steps because I want the operation to keep going on through the generations.”
The Next Generation
For Jamen, the long hours at the power plant and in the tractor are about more than just yield. They are a testament to the character of himself and his father before him. His daughters often join him in the cab, creating the same core memories he described from his childhood.
Agriculture is the backbone of America. It’s what keeps the world turning.
“My kids will always remember dad and how hard he worked,” Jamen said. “They learn how valuable hard work is through this lifestyle. They see things happen that most people never get to see.” While the work is demanding, Jamen sees it as a necessity. “Agriculture is the backbone of America,” he said. “It’s what keeps the world turning.”
Learn more about how Farm Credit Mid-America can support your operation.
† Patronage is an annual decision made by the Board of Directors to return earnings to eligible customers. To learn more about patronage or patronage eligibility, please visit our patronage page.
