Testimonials Young, Beginning, Small Farmers Fall 2015

Helping young and beginning producers get
their start and stay successful.
FCS Financial understands the importance of investing in the future of beginning farmers and supporting the full
spectrum of operations that contribute to the success of rural American communities. We offer many beginning
producer programs designed for those who are just getting established in farming or who are managing smaller
operations. Education and mentoring are critical components of these programs, helping participants grow skills and
access expertise as they build their future with the support of FCS Financial.
Read what our customers have to say about their experiences.

GROWING FAMILY AND FARM
Since returning to the family farm just five years ago, Alex Berry’s
corn yields have bounced from 212 bushels per acre to a thank-Godfor-crop-insurance yield of 50.

“In 2014, the stars lined up perfectly. The rain came at all the
right times,” Alex says, “but in 2012 the corn the rain just shut off.
That’s the challenge of farming. You do your best to do everything
right but some factors are out of your control. That’s one reason
controlling costs is so critical.”

After earning a degree in agricultural systems management from
the University of Missouri, Alex returned to the family operation in
2010. He joined his dad, Greg, in the corn and soybean operation,
becoming the sixth generation on the northwest Missouri farm.

And just a few months back, Alex and his wife, Kyla, had twins
— daughter and son, Quinn and Wiley — so there might just be a
seventh generation.

Growing the operation itself is something Alex would like to do
but from his cost-conscious point of view, he’ll do it with care.

“I won’t expand at all costs but when it makes sense financially,
I want to continue to grow,” he explains.
“Costs” get a lot attention at Berry Farms.
“We haven’t cut back on crop inputs but we have reduced our expenses by doing a lot more things ourselves — hauling grain,
spreading fertilizer, machinery maintenance — and by shopping around for inputs, particularly fertilizer and crop protection
products,” he says. “You can make a lot of money on the phone.”
Automatic shut-offs on sprayer and planter also help save on inputs, Alex notes.
Competitive interest rates were one of the attributes that attracted him to FCS Financial where he worked with Kerwin
Brock in Cameron in 2010 when he bought his first tract of land, but that wasn’t the only reason.
“There was also a lot of flexibility in terms and I really appreciated their knowledge of farming,” Alex says. “You don’t have to
explain everything to them. A lot of FCS Financial people grew up on farms and they know where you’re coming from. Having
my crop insurance in the same place is also helpful because they know the operation.” Kristie Hulet in Cameron provides his
crop insurance coverage through FCS Financial.
In addition to the crops, Alex and Kyla, who grew up on a northern Missouri dairy farm, have a small commercial cowherd.
Although years like 2012 make farming a tough occupation, his decision to join the family business has been the right one.
“I love it,” Alex concludes. “Dad and I work well together, and my grandfather, Stanley, helps out, too. It’s a real family
business. The hours are long but there’s also some flexibility to spend time with family. Who knows whether the twins will be
interested in farming someday but I know one thing. There’s no other place I’d rather have them grow up.”
By Mark Parker