I grew up on my family farm in Rensselaer. I’m a fourth-generation farmer. My grandfather and father farmed in partnership for many years. I came back to the farm about the time my grandfather retired. They sharecropped a large cattle/corn farm. My parents purchased a farm in the early 1970s, where I live today. I currently farm with my father and son (3 generations) on a 2,000-acre soybean, corn, wheat, cattle and independent swine finishing farm. I started farming (with ownership) while in high school. The commodities have not changed just methods and size. I purchased my first farmland in 1981 with my siblings at the beginning of the farm financial crisis of the 80s. Today, Tammy and I enjoy our family, including our grandson, and our farm. The farm represents a lot of work, but with that, a lot of rewards and satisfaction.