Sponsored by the DTN/Progressive Farmer magazine, the program recognizes the work and contributions of agriculture’s young farmers and ranchers.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee— Jared and Rachel Kunkle, Monmouth, Illinois have been named to the 2023 class of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. The program is sponsored by DTN/Progressive Farmer. The Kunkles are recognized for their work in building an efficient and profitable first-generation farm as an effective team and for giving back to their town through Community Care Days.
“It was a big shift for us when we started to [listen] to each other,” Rachel says. “I know my first reaction is going to be like, whoa, that sounds hard and do we have the time and energy to do that. And, his first reaction is always going to be, let’s make the pie bigger. I learned to understand he’s an external and quick processor. He has all the ideas. I’m going to hear all the ideas. They may not all play out, but I need to listen and not instantly go to no.”
“I’ve had to learn to stop talking, to give her time. I fully respect her strengths and it makes us a better team,” Jared says.
Kunkle Farms produces corn and soybeans.
Now in its 13th year, the America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program recognizes the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Honorees demonstrate innovation in business, provide evidence of work for the betterment of agriculture, and are involved in the improvement of their communities.
“This program establishes high standards for its Young Farmer honorees,” says Gregg Hillyer, editor-in-chief for Progressive Farmer. “These growers have all taken different paths to establish a career in farming. They bring a passion and positive outlook to grow their operations and to be successful. They are the future of agriculture.”
DTN/Progressive Farmer selects five honorees each year. The Kunkles join 70 past and present winners recognized as America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. They were recognized during an awards program in Nashville, Tennessee. The Kunkles also are featured in a special section of the December 2022 issue of Progressive Farmer and as a special presentation at DTNPF.com
DTN/Progressive Farmer magazine’s America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program is sponsored by FS Growmark and Commodity Classic.DTN is a global data, analytics and technology company. Its proprietary solutions and expertise deliver trusted operational intelligence for organizations with complex supply chains worldwide. Access to the unparalleled, cloud-based data, applications and insights that DTN offers help businesses prosper, improving service delivery and the movement of goods for many critical sectors of the global economy. DTN is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and Utrecht, Netherlands and operates or has investments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region with support from more than 1,200 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.dtn.com.
***Article Courtesy of Dan Miller, Senior Editor, DTN/Progressive Farmer***
Below, find the link to the online magazine article of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers featuring Jared and Rachel Kunkle:
America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers (dtnpf.com)
