Frequently Asked Questions About Just Farm Life
Where is your farm?
Our central farm location is in Southern Illinois, about 30 miles east of the Mississippi River. But the majority of the time, I will say St. Louis because it is the biggest city near us, and people are more familiar with this city than my small rural town.
What crops do you grow?
Our farm produces corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. The corn and some soybeans are planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. The wheat is planted in the fall and harvested in early summer. After wheat harvest, we also grow soybeans in those fields. It is called double-crop because two crops are harvested on that field in one year.
Where does your harvest go?
Most of our grain is stored in bins until we haul it or feed it. We feed over half of our corn crop and all of our hay to our cattle. The remaining corn and soybeans are sold and taken to the grain terminals and loaded on barges that head straight down the Mississippi River. Some of our corn is brought to Ethanol plants too. Our winter wheat is sold to flour mills and used to make Hostess cakes, biscuits, and cake mixes.
Is your land all in one location?
This is the most popular question I get from people who do not farm. The answer is no. Where we live and farm, a tract of land is an average of 100 acres or smaller. This is normal for me, but I can see how it could confuse others. Our farm acreage is spread between several surrounding counties from our central location. Each farm field has a unique name, which is how we identify it (or find my hungry farmers).
What animals do you raise on your farm?
We raise beef cows on pasture and steers (neutered males) from birth to market. The beef you buy from the grocery store is raised on cattle farms similar to ours. While we protect, care for, and provide for our cows, they are not our pets but rather a food source. This is not the answer many people like to hear, but it is the reality of our farm.
Do you use GMOs?
A Genetically Modified Organism is a plant, animal, or microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. Yes, we use this tool on our farm, specifically corn. It has helped our corn be more resilient to harsh weather conditions, insects, weeds and still produce a decent crop.
Do you have any questions or want to chat? Feel free to leave a comment or send a message.
