From the dusty fields of Freeburg, Missouri, I carry a legacy passed down through generations. My grandpa, Ambrose Grellner, instilled in me a deep love for agriculture, a love that fuels my passion as a third-generation farmer. Today, alongside my wife Amber, we manage a 1,200-acre family farm, raising crops, cattle and a spark of hope for the future.

As a little boy, you could always find me alongside my grandpa in a tractor or helping pig-out a sow. Shadowing him through those years provided some great life lessons. I quickly learned at an early age how important the agriculture industry is. I saw his impact in the agriculture industry and knew that is exactly what I wanted to do.

Through the decades, agriculture has evolved with new technology and improved farming practices. As I reflect back on the past and appreciate how far we have come, I still know there are challenges before us. Farming is not just plowing the fields to have a crop to feed families anymore, it is so much more.

It is my time to help make a difference and stand up for agriculture.  To overcome these obstacles, my farming operation runs on faith, a supportive and helping family, and a good mentor.  By doing so, it has made me who I am today.

As I embark on the year ahead leading the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, I take it as an opportunity to grow and learn from others. We will work together to better understand and overcome the challenges we face. It’s a commitment I’ve made to the organization, but also to myself, my family and our farm.

My advice to young farmers who are starting their own farming career is to find a good mentor, embrace your voice, and get involved. Together, we can navigate the changing landscape of agriculture and ensure its enduring legacy. As farmers and ranchers, we are a rare breed as the stewards of the land and the backbone of our nation. Together, we can make a difference.

 

Nathan Woehr, Missouri Young Farmers & Ranchers Chairman

 

 

Osage County Farm Bureau President, Nathan Woehr, is the 2024 chair of the Missouri Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. The third-generation farmer and his wife, Amber, raise crops, Angus cattle, and Boer goats on their farm near Freeburg.