Sophomore Jackson Koehn doesn’t have the typical lazy weekend of a teenager. Instead, he rolls out of bed at five in the morning, and is out the door by 5:30. Koehn has a long day ahead of him working on his family farm. 

Koehn started helping on the family farm around five years old and since then it has become a major part of his life. Almost every weekend, he hops in his truck with his dad and begins the hour-long drive to his grandparents’ farm, around 10 minutes away from small town Sigourney, Iowa. On the way they stop at Casey’s General Store and he picks up a slice of breakfast pizza and a Gatorade for the ride to start the day. 

Once arriving at his grandparents’ house, he and his dad go inside and visit with his grandparents. “Being able to see them regularly is one of my favorite parts about farming,” Koehn said. During the winter months they start the equipment and get it ready for the work ahead. After that they grind the feed for the cattle and sometimes for the hogs. Koehn then goes to work on fixing machinery, as something is almost always broken. 

The Koehn’s family farm is 800 acres and has been in their family for 102 years. They typically plant field corn, sweet corn for their family, and used to farm and sell soybeans but stopped in 2008. Neighboring family members help plant and harvest some of the fields, including Koehn’s grandpa’s brother, who owns land nearby. 

Along with crops, the farm has livestock. Year round they have a total of around 75 cattle, 50 hogs and 150 chickens which they use for eggs. Keeping the farm running is a year-round job. In the spring his neighbors plant and in the fall, they harvest. And even when it’s not planting or harvesting season, there is always something that needs to be done. 

Farming has also allowed Koehn to spend time with his two favorite cousins. “I just have a great time with them,” Koehn said, “ we’re like best friends,” Whether they are working or just hanging out, it makes farming one of Koehn’s favorite things to do. “

Koehn’s passion for farming continues to grow and the years go on. “I look forward to the future where farming continues to be a big part of my life,” Koehn said. No matter where life takes him, the many lessons and memories Koehn has from farming will continue to be a big part of the person he is and who he will become in the future.