You Can Take The Boy Off The Farm, but You Can’t Take The Farm Out Of The Boy

HEART OF TEXAS

“You can take the boy off the farm, but you cannot take the farm out of the boy.”

BY JEFF BREKKEN

Hey there, I am Jeff Brekken, owner of Iconic HR. I grew up on a farm in Northwest Minnesota, farming alongside my grandfather and father. We grew sugar beets, sunflowers, wheat, and barley. My grandfather was the first chairman of the board for American Crystal Sugar Company. At the age of 9, I was solely operating a Case IH 4366, along with IH-1466, 1066, 806, and more…. We were the first in the Red River Valley (MN/ND) of sugar beet farmers to own and operate the first 6-row beet lifter from PARMA Manufacturing. Over the years, I have spent thousands of hours on farming equipment.

So why am I here, writing for AgMag? Since my family got out of farming in 1985 (like many farmers in the mid ’80s), I love to help on any farm I visit. A few years ago, I was able to take on 18-hour shifts, driving semi for sugar beet harvest. No matter the task at hand, I am all in.

I have a passion for the farming industry and want to give back. I have spent the last 25 years recruiting for other businesses and now have my own human resources company to apply this knowledge to you. I can find the right team member for your KEY roles.

A ‘well-oiled machine’ starts with leadership, down to the right people on your team. Your business will run efficiently with high employee retention, leading to greater profits. I want to keep you safe and free of unnecessary lawsuits, grievances, and employee issues, past or present. Let Iconic HR help with hiring and onboarding so you can focus on the farm!

I miss all aspects of the farm. From the first tractor in the field for Spring to the Fall harvest rush to beat the snow and frost. Therefore, one of my life goals is to protect farmers and their land, so no boy has to be taken off the farm.

Since 1985, there have been roughly 22,000 labor laws changed or enacted on the FEDERAL level itself! Not to mention any new or updated state laws. That is A LOT to manage if you are a small business.

One question I received recently was, “What if I border another state and farm in different states?” The labor laws of the state you are currently performing the work prevail. Say you farm 5,000 acres. 2,200 is in the state where you live, and 2,800 is in a state 6 miles away. If you are harvesting for 2-3 weeks on those 2,800 acres, are you properly paying your overtime? Each state varies when it comes to this. Agriculture is like the weather, just wait 24 hours, and it will change. The same is true for HR. It is always changing depending on new laws we must abide by. I want to be your voice for this. It only takes ONE bad hire or disgruntled employee for your operation to take a hit.

In each new issue of AgMag, I will write about everything human relations to help your business. Hot topics, trending news, tidbits of advice, and will answer your submitted questions. I am here for the agricultural community to bring you money-saving items that will help the administration side of your business run like a well-oiled machine.

Please submit your questions to be published and answered in my next article to Jeff@