Building a family farming legacy

By Jennifer Carrico

Southwest Iowa farmer Kevin Ross has taken every opportunity placed before him when it comes to farming and serving other farmers.

Ross, who raises corn, soybeans and beef cattle recently took over the reins as the president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association on Sept. 1. At 31, he is one of the youngest farmers to take on that role, serving the corn growers in the state where the most corn is grown.

Although he is young, he has been farming for 11 years. "I started farming when I was a sophomore in college and have had cattle since I was 13. It was a challenge to go to school in Ames (at Iowa State University) and then drive 2 hours back to Minden to farm, but I made it work because I knew this is what I wanted to do," he explained.

Since his parents weren't farmers, he had a steep learning curve. He started with older facilities and equipment, which he has gradually improved through the years.

"Farming isn't an easy occupation to get into, especially when you don't have an established farm to take over. The dollars involved and the capital requirements are huge. Borrowing money and building your net income takes time," said Ross.

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