Prairie Farmer Logo

After other couples spoke highly of the Ag Biz Master course, the Reskovacs signed up for the winter course. Then came the real challenge.

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac, Bloggers

January 15, 2016

3 Min Read

Sheilah: “I wasn’t able to attend the first class session. I had to work, so Mike was on his own. A couple of our friends had also signed up so he was able to ride with them.

“Mike came home excited that it would be a good program. He mentioned there was homework to do before the next session – about 6 weeks away. Since I didn’t make that class, I told him I’d help with the homework.”

Mike: “The second session is scheduled this Wednesday. Sheilah can’t make this one either; she has a different class to go to.

mastering_ag_biz_master_class_has_challenges_1_635884630183520000.jpg

“That’s partially my fault. I told her all classes would be on Mondays. I was wrong, and as bad luck goes, Wednesday is the day she attends her other classes. But, of course, I’d never pass up the chance to have her help me with the homework.”

Sheilah: “I kept asking when he wanted to sit down and work on it. And he kept giving me that good old “maybe tomorrow” reply.”

Mike: “I figured we had all kinds of time to get it done. Finally, we nailed down Sunday afternoon to work on it. Wouldn’t you know, a windy cold front moved in and knocked the power out for about four hours.

“No big deal. There was still lots of time left in the evening to get the homework done. We could sit on the couch together and watch the videos on Sheilah’s laptop. I hate sitting at the desktop for long periods of time.

“We were all set to go with her laptop. But of course, the Adobe Player wasn’t updated.”

Sheilah: “I told Mike to just download the new version; it wouldn’t take that long.

“But Mike has no patience for technology. Our other option was to go upstairs and use the desktop. I knew he wouldn’t like that.”

Mike: “She’s right. I was so fed up with computer and the time already wasted. I was done working on it for the night.”

Sheilah: “Well, that’s fine. But you realize I work the next two days, right? I won’t be able to help you get it done if we don’t do it now!”

Mike: “I’d forgotten about Sheilah’s work schedule. I can never keep track of it. I guess that’s what I get for procrastinating.

“No worries though. I completed the homework in a timely manner – about 2 hours before the next class. Maybe next time I won’t wait so long to start on the homework.”

Sheilah: “I won’t hold my breath on that one!

“That night, Mike told me all about the class and the topics they discussed. He was excited, and told me how everyone had to write up a mission statement. Here’s what he came up with:

“Reskovac Farms LLC is a progressive family farm that values a good quality of life for its owners and employees. We practice sustainability by using the latest technology available to raise our grain crops while being good stewards of our natural resources. We strive to be involved in our local community and to provide a positive image of agriculture.”

Mike: “Writing a mission statement is something I’ve always wanted to do, but never taken the time to do.”

Sheilah: “It sounded good. Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend the next session.”

The Reskovacs farm near Uniontown, Pa. (No report on his hunting season success.) Read all their "Two Hearts, One Harvest" columns in American Agriculturist. This opinion is not necessarily that of Penton.com.

About the Author(s)

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac

Bloggers

Mike and Sheilah Reskovac are a young farming couple just starting their second year of marriage and farming together, near Uniontown, Pa. He's a first-gen farmer who met his fourth-gen farmer-bride online, and married in November 2012.

Mike grew up next to and working on his neighbor's Fayette County dairy farm through high school and college. After graduating from Penn State University in 2002 with a B.S. in Ag Systems Management, he worked as a manager at Tractor Supply stores for three years.

In 2005, he began farming his neighbor's land. Today, he and Sheilah farm 900 acres of corn and soybeans, plus do custom planting and harvesting.

Mike is president of the Pennsylvania Corn Growers Association. He also serves on the local Penn State Extension Board and is a Farm Service Agency county committee member.

Sheilah grew up on her family's Indiana County dairy farm. She graduated from DuBois Business College in 2008 with an associate's degree in Specialized Business and Medical Assistance, then worked for DuBois Regional Medical Center for four years. She also volunteered as a firefighter and EMT for the local fire company.

Since moving to Fayette County, Sheilah has been chief bookkeeper and farm assistant, along with taking classes at Penn State Fayette for Nursing. She enjoys “taking care of” groundhog problems, raking hay and mowing cornstalks.

While she enjoys cooking and baking, Mike enjoys eating the goods. Both enjoy hunting, attending concerts and county fairs, and spending time with family.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like