(Editor's note -- Livestock farming is poised for tremendous growth in Iowa thanks to good market prices, a growing renewable fuels industry and increasing value of using animal nutrients as fertilizer. The importance of agriculture, particularly livestock farming, has generated a great deal of discussion across the state, including northwest Iowa. The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers recently visited with Adair County farmers, residents and community leaders about the benefits of agriculture and the positive impact of responsibly growing area livestock farms. Throughout March and April, the Coalition will unveil a series of articles focusing on the interconnection between strong and growing farms and vibrant and prosperous main streets in Adair County…and beyond.
(ADAIR, IA) – Anyone who believes that families are no longer part of farming should swing by Adair Feed & Grain. It’s a bustling business located on the west edge of Adair, a small town nestled in northern Adair County.
Step on the property and you’ll likely be greeted by the fifth and sixth generations of Crawfords – Randy and sons Blake and Justin. Together they manage two successful businesses – a company that sells feed, seed and equipment and a diversified farm that includes corn, soybeans and cattle.
“We’re all partners and we all own part of the business,” said Randy from his office located just inside Adair Feed & Grain. “As partners, we work together because we share in our successes and failures. We learn and get better.”
For nearly 50 years, the Crawford family has farmed and been involved in retail ag business. Randy’s father Charles got things started. In 1992, Adair Feed & Grain moved to its current location and Randy slowly took charge of the enterprise. Today, it features a diversified blend of products and services including DMI farm and tillage machinery, Titan West livestock equipment and custom feed mixing and delivery. Adair Feed & Grain is also the largest HiQual livestock equipment dealer in Iowa.
The business employs nine people and utilizes the individual talents of each Crawford family member. Randy humbly wears the title of general manager, overseeing sales and the company’s daily operations. He doesn’t especially care for the spotlight and has a knack for delegating and mentoring.
Blake, age 30, graduated from Iowa State University with degrees in business and agronomy. He manages the family’s cattle herd, helps with sales and office management and takes pride in helping customers improve their profitability.
Justin, 28, is also an ISU graduate with a degree in operations management. After a short office career, Randy and Blake recruited him back to Adair where he manages the farm, oversees grain storage and equipment and takes care of insurance and financials.
“While we all have specific responsibilities, we also work together and help out where needed,” says Blake whose passion has always been raising cattle. “We learn a lot from dad because he’s done everything we’re doing. Dad excels in sales and keeping everyone headed in the right direction.”
For Justin, returning to the family farm and Adair Feed & Grain was a natural fit.
“I remember sitting in my (office) cubicle shortly after graduating from college and realizing that an office job wasn’t for me,” he recalls with a grin. “I knew this was where I wanted to be. I enjoy the variety of chores and responsibilities and working with family.”
Creating and sustaining two successful farm businesses isn’t without its challenges. Farming has changed considerably over the years.
“It takes a lot more money to run things then it used to,” says Randy. “Mergers also make it challenging as a small business owner because it’s difficult to find the right person to talk to. We also have fewer customers walking through the door which makes it extremely important to keep their business.”
Changes in consumer perceptions have also make it more challenging for farm families like the Crawfords.
“There are fewer farmers. Therefore, you have fewer people interacting with people who live and work on a farm,” says Blake. “As a result, there are fewer people who can relate to the challenges of making a living growing crops and raising livestock. We must do more to educate our urban friends so we can work together for the benefit of our county and communities.”
All agree that the educational process must begin with livestock.
“Iowa is an agricultural state and we need to expand on that a thousand different ways,” says Randy. “This includes raising more livestock. Cattle, hog and poultry farming creates a tremendous demand for almost every other service and product we have in this area – from implement dealers and lenders to seed, feed, electricity and construction folks.”
The Crawfords praised the work of the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers in helping foster improved consumer awareness and acceptance of livestock farming.
“Thankfully there’s an organization like the Coalition that helps people learn more about the value of livestock to Adair County and Iowa,” Randy added. “It used to be that people knew because they also lived and worked on the farm. But it’s not that way any more. We need to reach out, talk about what we do and give people an opportunity to understand that our community’s can grow by raising more livestock.”
Both Blake and Justin hope to follow in their father’s footsteps and make a life and a living from the land. Blake and wife Angie have two children, Kate age 5 and Charlie, 3; Justin has a steady girlfriend.
“The impact of agriculture in our communities is huge – but there are tremendous opportunities to do even more,” says Blake. “Farmers are diversifying and that means adding livestock. When crop prices are low, livestock provides that added income to keep a farm profitable.”