For brothers Bob and Bill, the 2,000-acre corn and soybean farm they operate in central Ohio is more than a business; it’s their family’s legacy. As fourth-generation farmers, their daily work is a tribute to their father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
The success of the family farm depends on more than hard work—it requires a partner to help navigate the unpredictable forces of weather and life. For the Thomas brothers, Farm Credit Mid-America has become just that.
Modernizing for the Future
Bob’s lifelong interest in mechanics once meant repairing equipment in the freezing cold. Today, the brothers operate out of a modern, heated shop—their pride and joy—partially financed through a 10-year lease program with Farm Credit Mid-America.
They replaced simple augers with a sophisticated, electronically controlled grain system and dryer. This allows them to run equipment continuously, switching between corn and beans seamlessly.
Using their degrees in agronomy and microbiology, Bob says they treat their crops with loving care, feeding the soil specific micronutrients at the perfect time to ensure the best possible yield.
Bob is already teaching his grandson about the operation, involving him in documenting grain storage to spark a creative interest in the farm’s future.
Resilience Against the Elements
Bob and Bill say that farming is a constant test of patience. In the spring of 2025, Mother Nature delivered a series of relentless rainstorms that rotted seeds in the ground, forcing them to replant over 200 acres.
“It hurts your pride,” Bob shared. “We really work hard on planting corn and then this happens.”
Despite the setback, their partnership with Farm Credit Mid-America’s Crop Insurance team provided a safety net. Their crop insurance policy includes Revenue Protection, a multi-peril plan that protects against production loss and price decline and/or increase. It turned a potential catastrophe into a manageable hurdle. As Bill said, “crop insurance gives us assurance that we can survive.”
A Partnership of Trust
The relationship with Farm Credit Mid-America extends beyond the fields. During a personally difficult time, Bob faced the possibility of losing his share of their operation. Farm Credit Mid-America and his financial officer stepped in with a loan that allowed him to buy back his equipment and equity.
“They were there for me in good times and they’re there for me in bad times,” Bob shared. “They didn’t make me feel like I made a mistake.”
My customers value the family aspect that Farm Credit Mid-America brings to the table. When we sit across from them, whether it’s at their own home or in the office, they feel like they’re talking to family and friends. They know we’re here to help them make the best decisions for their farm.
Rooted in the Land
Now with the help of Rural 1st®, Farm Credit Mid-America’s rural Consumer Lending Division, Bob and his wife Susie are able to make their dream rural home a reality. Ensuring that they’re taken care of on and off the farm thanks to the customer-owned cooperative. After searching for the perfect location, they settled on building their home in a stretch of land where they once grew soybeans.
Carrying the Torch
For Bob and Bill, success is defined by passing their land to the next generation. They value Farm Credit Mid-America’s commitment to family farms, something they hope ensures their grandchildren have the same opportunity to farm that they did.
We like to work, don’t we Bob? It instilled in us that that’s just the way of life. We don’t try not to work. In fact, we look forward to coming here. We don’t want to stay home.
Securing What’s Next
Understanding the hardships and success across their entire operation helps build a stronger and more sustainable future for Bob and Bill to continue their legacy. “The legacy and the heritage mean a lot to us,” Bill said. “The older you get, the more important your legacy becomes.”
Learn more about how Farm Credit Mid-America can help you finance what you need now and build for what’s next.
