What do robots, rootworms, peaches, pigs and branding have in common?

They were all topics of conversation during the Cultivating Master Farmers Class of 2019 tour in St. Louis, July 19-20.

CMF participants got a behind-the-scenes look at the Grow exhibit at the St. Louis Science Center, and then toured Monsanto before heading to Eckert’s for a look at how that family has grown its business and transferred leadership between generations. The next morning, they toured the Osborn Barr agency office and learned about branding and public perception; then they heard from Rich Hollis at The Maschhoffs about how values shape culture on their farms. In between it all, they learned from each other.

“The St. Louis trip truly pulled together the essence of the CMF program,” says Brad Boelens, Cambridge, Ill. “Being able to explore these topics with other young farmers and Master Farmers from all over the state allows us to pool new ideas and get advice from others that have been there.”

Cultivating Master Farmers is a unique two-year mentoring program that connects a select group of young Illinois farmers with folks who have been through it all and are willing to share their sage advice: Prairie Farmer Master Farmers. The program was organized in 2005.

And while conversations often center on generational relationships and expanding the farm, much of the summer tour focused attention on the other factors that make a farm successful. Said Master Farmer Russ Rosenboom, “Your expansion of the farm will depend on something other than your ability to farm. It’ll depend on how you treat people.”

“CMF is an amazing program that builds friendships and connections that will last beyond the two-year program,” Boelens adds.

The CMF program covers topics such as financial management and succession planning. Speakers lead the discussions, but the real value is the one-on-one conversations between the young farmers and the Master Farmers.

CMF is sponsored by Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Illinois, Growmark, Illinois Farm Bureau, Monsanto and Prairie Farmer.

CLASS OF 2019

Young Farmers
Tony and Amber Baird, Martinsville
Brad and Hilary Boelens, Cambridge
Drew and Adrienne DeSutter, New Windsor
Stephen Grace, Urbana
Jeff and Katie Grady, Port Byron
Mitchell Hinds, Mount Pulaski
Kate Huffman, Kewanee
John and Megan Klemm, Waynesville
Cameron and Donna Klostermann, Sheffield
Jason and Laura Pitcher, Montrose
Jamin and Whitney Ringger, Gridley
Jason and Erin Watson, Villa Grove

Master Farmers
Ron and Karen Bremmer, Pearl City
Bill and Sandy Christ, Metamora
Reggie and Norma Jean Dowell, Greenview
Tracy and Beth Jones, Kirkland
Ron and Julie Lawfer, Kent
Tim and Delreen Lenz, Strasburg
Russ and Marilyn Rosenboom, Clifton
Tim and Roxy Seifert, Auburn
Jim and Luann Shaeffer, Dixon