Augustana Alumni Bond over Commerical Banking as Andrea Carstensen joins Jesse King at his Toronto farm
Having open conversations about food and farming with South Dakotans and the farmers who grow it is what we do. In fact, that’s what Hungry for Truth is all about. We had an exciting opportunity to connect Minnwest Bank Business Developer, Andrea Carstensen, with Jesse King, a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from Toronto, S.D., to chat about farming, the meaningful work farmers do, and much more. Below, Andrea shares her learnings from her farm visit.
Hailing from the ‘Bacon Capital USA’ - Martin County, MN - I have a basic understanding of the forms of agriculture. My grandfather and many family friends and relatives farmed corn and soybeans. Therefore my admiration for the dedication of the profession goes without saying.
In the Midwest, the term ‘agriculture’ is often thrown around like Busch Lights on the 4th of July. We can often skim past or become removed from its deep implications for our state. Hungry for Truth aims to shed light on the industry for the average South Dakotan.
Jesse King graciously spent an afternoon showcasing his operation in Toronto, SD, while we simultaneously bonded over commercial banking and the Augustana Vikings. My eyes were opened, and I anticipate yours will be too.
I’ve broken down some key takeaways of participating in corn planting season on a fifth-generation farm that I hope you can incorporate into some conversation, appreciate while going about your life, or be reminded of.
Farmers Care
They play a critical role in protecting the land and ensuring its long-term sustainability. As stewards of natural resources, they intentionally manage their crops in a way that minimizes negative impacts on the environment while producing strong outputs.
Farming is an art and a science, and farmers must consider a handful of factors depending on the crop and their particular land (drain tiling, weed pressures, elevation, moisture, etc.).
Farming is Advanced
The technology used is remarkable. Several industries (engineering, finance, research, manufacturing, etc.) come together to progress efficiencies.
Jesse took the time to explain the anatomy of the 24-row planter we used. Visually comprehending the path of a seed from the tanks to the ground with the tubing, discs, and sensors involved was fascinating.
Soil analysis allows Jesse’s planter to know the optimal population in a certain section, with seeds perfectly spaced with a vacuum meter 5 to 7 inches apart in the ground, and can top 33,000 kernels in a single acre if fertile.
Farming is Challenging, yet Rewarding
Although at the mercy and grace of Mother Nature, tending the land to meet the needs of a growing world is rewarding and vital. It requires a great deal of flexibility and tenacity - especially in 2 seasons a year - but running a family operation provides an opportunity to work alongside loved ones, manage your own schedule, demonstrate a strong work ethic to children, and carry on tradition.
Input costs tend to decrease at a slower rate than commodity prices and rise faster than commodity prices. With cost considerations and access to ground, the profession can take a toll.
Farmers are Proud
The King family homestead and farm started in 1878 with Jesse’s great, great-grandfather. Today, they farm 1,600 acres and will be celebrating the 145th anniversary with a tribute to their roots, which is incredibly special.
Did you know this?
The target depth for planting a seed is 2 inches for corn and 1.5 inches for beans.
Seeds come in an array of COLORS! Blew my mind. They are yellow but then coated in a treatment to protect them from disease and help them germinate. This can also help distinguish seed types, hybrids, applications, etc.
The tanks atop Jesse’s planter can hold 100 units (bags) combined. A bag contains roughly 80,000 kernels. At a cost of around $300 per unit, $30,000 of seed input can cover approximately 242 acres at $124/acre (depending on population).
The practice of crop rotation, particularly between corn and soybeans, is a common and effective method used by farmers to improve soil health, reduce pests and diseases, and increase yields. Additionally, many farmers plant multiple crops in one season for insurance indemnity purposes.
