Testimonials Young, Beginning, Small Farmers Fall 2015 | Page 2

Starting from Scratch
They say it’s close to impossible to get a start in
production agriculture these days but Josh Kennedy
will tell you that, if you want something bad
enough, you can find a way to make it work.
“I’ve always loved cattle and the cattle business
— it’s what make me tick,” says the Mt. Vernon
beef producer. “When I was a senior in high school
I rented a pasture and borrowed money for my first
cattle on my own — a pot load of heifers I grazed
and sent to a feed yard in Kansas. I’ve been hooked
ever since.”

Financially, Josh started from scratch, but that
doesn’t mean he was without assets.

“My uncle, Steve Parker, has been my mentor,”
he explains. “He taught me the business — he’s still
teaching me the business. I didn’t have land or cattle
to get started but I had that knowledge I picked up
from him and others. I figure that’s worth a lot.”
Josh and his wife, Ashley, along with 4-year old son Braden and 10-month old daughter Ava, have a small place they
bought in 2006. Josh is also a firefighter, balancing job with the cattle enterprise. The home place is just big enough for a
house and the pens and grass traps that Josh uses to receive and straighten-up newly purchased calves.
From there, the cattle go to rented pastures. The basic program has been to graze the calves to 700-900 pounds and
retain ownership through the finishing phase. Lately, though, Josh has been sorting off higher quality calves and sending
them to a sale barn near a feed yard.
“I always have a marketing plan but it is subject to what’s happening in the market,” he notes. “I stay open to
opportunities that arise and if I see something that I think will make money, I jump on it.”
Working with Tera Dover from the Springfield FCS Financial office, Josh and Ashley refinanced their home mortgage
and, when that went well, they switched their operating loan, as well. That saved them a couple of interest percentage
points and FCS Financial has been their lender ever since.
“The biggest hurdle for a young person is cost,” Jo sh says. “My operation is pretty small right now but when you look
at cash flow, it can look pretty big. FCS Financial understands the business and they understand my need for flexibility.”
Josh and Ashley are looking for a bigger place to keep building that foundation. And, when they find it, FCS
Financial will likely be at their side to lend a financial hand.