4 minute read
Fresh Picked: Farming is Family
Farming is Family
If you love what you do, it doesn't seem like work, but instead a way of life
By Kerri Bell
My name is Kerri Bell, and I’m a fourth-generation farmer. My husband Lance and I have a diversified crop farm near Keota in southeast Iowa. We raise corn, soybeans, cover crops and alfalfa, and have a Hereford cow-calf operation with our twin daughters Ellie and Sophie. Our daughters are 2023 Iowa State University (ISU) College of Agriculture graduates who now hold ag careers on and off the farm.
Lance began farming with his parents when he returned from Ames after completing his farm operations program at ISU. I graduated from the University of Iowa College of Education and have been teaching for 29 years, 27 as a second-grade teacher at Mid-Prairie East Elementary in Kalona. It’s so rewarding to share my passion for agriculture in my classroom.
Like Lance, I must plan, prepare and plant my “crop” (of students) so they can grow. Whereas I plant in the fall and harvest in the spring, Lance does the opposite, and we both put in countless hours, giving our best, as we are passionate about our careers. It’s a give-and-take — my family helps me with special projects, and I help them on the farm when they need extra hands.
After the girls were born, it wasn’t long before their love of farming became evident — just like their dad and grandpa. Soon they were driving equipment, filling the planter, calculating chemical formulas and making decisions to move us forward. Our love of the land has kept us improving how we operate to be as efficient as possible as we work to conserve our natural resources for the future.
Growing up, I wasn’t afraid to get dirty and help inside and outside on the farm. I was in 4-H for nine years, and actively involved in FFA, where I earned the highest award available: the American Farmer Degree (as it was known then). 4-H and FFA allowed me to share my passion for agriculture and gain confidence in myself. Those experiences helped shape who I am today.
Ellie and Sophie were eager to join 4-H, just like their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents had many years ago. From kindergarten on, they tried new project areas, held leadership roles and made the best better with their time in 4-H. We couldn’t be prouder of their 4-H experiences and the countless memories we made together as a family. Time will tell if they choose to be on the Washington County Extension Council and Washington County 4-H Youth Committee, as I did during their years in 4-H. Or maybe they’ll be 4-H judges at the local, county and state levels, as I have for the past 33 years.
FFA is where the girls found their true passion for agriculture. Like me, they were hooked from day one. Not only did they compete in contests, participate in programs, serve on committees and hold officer positions — they discovered a career path back to the farm. There’s nothing better than learning from your children as they pursue their passions and push our family farm operation forward.
We believe it’s important to give back and share your voice, no matter your career path. Our family has been involved with the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Soybean Associations at the local, district, state and national levels, as well as 4-H, FFA and our church. I also volunteer with CommonGround Iowa, working with farm women to educate consumers about where our food comes from.
When you love what you do, farming isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life! We’re proud to grow crops and raise livestock, providing consumers with food, fuel, feed and fiber. I look forward to sharing my farm family experiences and memories with you throughout the next year.
