Plant the Seed Harvest More Leaders By Amy Eckelberg
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mily Johnson thinks her hobby of gardening and canning continues to be a strong piece of the farm’s history. is unusual for someone her age. The 27-year-old enjoys it Emily grew up as the calf feeder on the farm but slowly not only because it’s something she does with family but also learned more about Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural community because it’s something she can see from start to finish or in her with her other jobs. words, “seed to harvest.” “I didn’t grow up in FFA or 4-H. My ag experience is solely The hobby not only preserves food but also is a way she can from working on our farm, the nearby strawberry farm and the preserve her family’s way of life that she admires. local Sentry grocery store,” Emily shared. “I kind of smile now “I like canning because I get to do it with my mom and thinking about the conversations I could have been having with grandma,” said Emily. “I get to hear lots of old stories and just the shoppers at the store about their food purchases.” spend time with them. It’s special.” Emily works as a crop insurance The farm Emily grew up on is specialist at State Bank of Cross located west of Janesville. Her parents, Plains, formally known as Union Bank Dan and Carolyn live in the house and Trust. where her grandfather was born. On “I went to school for finance at the farm’s 180 acres, they grow corn, UW-Whitewater,” Emily explained. “I soybeans and alfalfa. During her was told many times by my parents’ ag childhood, they raised Holstein steers lender, Craig O’Leary, that I needed but have since stopped raising animals to work in agriculture. He would say, in high capacity. ‘we need more farm kids like you in She has two brothers, Ethan and these jobs.’” Caleb, who still help on the farm as In 2014, when a summer agricultural needed. Ethan and his wife, Alissa, internship was offered, Emily applied Emily shared this photo of her family. (from left): are expecting their first child and raise Ethan, Caleb, Carolyn, Dan, Emily, Alissa. and was hired. She worked with beef cattle. agricultural lenders and learned more “To me, farm means family,” Emily explained. “It’s just how about crop insurance and the insurance industry in general. I grew up. Everyone chips in and it’s truly a family affair. My “I develop individualized risk management plans for farmers,” parents wanted to farm and have a close family. I aspire to be Emily shared. “I help them understand how to use insurance as like them someday because they work hard and have a strong a tool, especially for when times are volatile. For example, you faith and marriage. They truly have a beautiful life.” buy homeowners insurance for the risk of your house burning You can see the pride Emily has in her farming roots when down but you don’t believe it will. To me, crop insurance is asked about her sole piece of farming equipment. She is the even more important because you are working with Mother fourth-generation owner of the family’s Farmall 300. The Nature and the commodity markets. There is so much to tractor was bought new in 1957 by her great-grandpa and protect against.” SUPPLIED PHOTO
PHOTO BY LYNN SIEKMANN
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New YFA Chair Hopes to
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2021
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