Rush and other young
producers are the future of the ag
industry. “Young producers are
what makes my job so exciting
and interesting,” Snook says.
“They bring a different mindset
and energy level to their farming
operations. Often, they are quick
to adapt to new technology,
farming practices and marketing
strategies.”
Snook goes on to say that
every young, beginning, small
farmer brings an individuality to
his or her operation. “The best
part of my job is to see young,
beginning, small producers
develop and achieve their long-
and short-term goals,” he adds.
Having a plan and being
able to explain it to your lender
is essential, Snook says noting
communication is key to a great
working relationship between
young, beginning, small producers
and their lender.
“The more their lender
understands where they are and
where they want to be, the more
they can help mitigate risk and
surprises,” Snook says.
paving his path
Rush beams with pride as he talks
of the farming legacy his great-
grandfather and grandfather built.
He recalls his father telling stories
of his great-grandfather being one
of the first farmers in the area to
have a tractor. One of the farms
Rush operates now was farmed
by his great-grandfather decades
before.
“It gives me a sense of pride
that I’m farming that same ground
that he did for all of those years,”
Rush notes.
As a young producer, Rush
realizes access to land and working
capital are two of the biggest
challenges he faces. He knows he
has to take care of what he has
because more land won’t be made
in the future.
“Dad and I were talking one
day,” Rush says, “and Dad made
the comment, ‘You know, why
don’t we just try to do a better job
with what we’ve got.’”
From there, Rush says he
knew he had to do a better job of
saving the soil. “I’ve got another
generation that I hope wants to
farm someday,” he says. “This
ground is going to have to feed
people for a long time, so if we
can save the soil and do a better
job with what we’re doing, I think
we’re in better shape.”
Rush is rooted in knowing
that a good attitude will carry him
far in the industry. He feeds on
maintaining good relationships
with his landlords and discovering
what made them successful.
Quick to credit his father for
being a forward-thinker, Rush
says he never wants to get stuck
in the past. Having a diversified
operation helps him manage his
risk on the farm. When the cattle
market is having a tough year, he
can look to the row crop side of his
operation to get him through.
While Rush’s father is an avid
reader, he admits one of the best
ways he learns is by walking the
fields early in the morning.
“I never want to stop learning
at this,” Rush says. “We’re always
wanting to change something or
do something just to get better.
And, that’s what I like to do is just
do the best that I can with what I
have.”
Tyler Rush first worked with FCS
Financial while in high school when
he purchased 10 head of cattle. Today,
the cooperative’s fixed rate loan program
helps the young farmer plan for the
future.
HEARTBEAT | FALL 2018 9