View From The Cab

By David Tollefson, Columnist

From the February 16 issue of THE LAND magazine written by Laura Cole, is a true story of courage and persistence in spite of a rather severe handicap. Laura’s sub-title is “Minnesota farmer offers a glimpse of life on and off the farm.”

Here it is:

Having grown up in the fields alongside his father and grandfather, Parker Revier is now approaching his third growing season alongside his girlfriend, Gabrielle Carmichael. Together they were selected for the state of Minnesota to participate in the ASA Corteva Young Leaders Program. She’s learning farming right alongside me, so that’s been a lot of fun,” Revier stated.

The couple farms land in Renville, Sibley and Stevens counties, growing soybeans, corn and canning crops for Seneca Foods. Carmichael has a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, and Revier, a 2017 graduate of Creighton University, received a degree in Energy Technology. 

Born without his left arm, Revier is a congenital below-elbow amputee.

“Growing up on a farm, I was not treated differently. If I said I couldn’t do something, my grandpa would make darn sure that I could do it on my own. I don’t use a prosthetic for anything on the farm. I’m able to operate machinery, drive truck and do anything just like anyone else. I think being born without the arm, you just get used to adapting – and I don’t even view it as adapting; it’s just living.”

When discussing what obstacles beginning farmers are faced with, Revier stated, “A big barrier to entry for beginning farmers is how capital intense agriculture is, whether it be livestock or row cropping, said Revier. He feels that having a strong support team is the first step in crossing that barrier of entry.

Revier joined his local corn and soybean growers association in Renville County, and became a board member. “Other local farmers in the area have been great support for me taking that next step,” he remarked. He stated it was one of his fellow board members that encouraged him to sign up for the Young Leader program.

Now in its 40th year, Revier stated it’s a great program to teach leaders how to be strong advocates for the soybean industry. The program consists of two phases. The first event was held in Johnston, Iowa where Corteva Agriscience’s global business center is located. The couple was able to meet with growers from all over the country including Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska and Iowa. Next, they’ll be attending the Commodity Classic. Stemming from the program participation, Revier shared he also has become a director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

Along with farming, Revier is also an agricultural and commercial lender at HomeTown Bank in Olivia, Minn. “I have to say it – a good ag lender can be a good tool to use to help you in the beginning,” he remarked.

Programs of benefit that Revier referenced for beginning farmers and ranchers are Farm Service Agency’s direct loan funding opportunities and guaranteed loan programs.

Revier noted that while there’s been a lot of talk of interest rates going lower, what he has seen is that they’re steady. “Steady is okay; it’s easy to plan with steady interest rates at the moment,” he commented.

In regards to the U.S. Department of Agriculture anticipating an increase in soybean acres planted and a decrease in corn this year, Revier hasn’t yet determined his own 2024 crop ratio – though he can foresee the possibility he may be heavier into soybeans. “As a farmer, I will grow what the market demands,” Revier stated. “Market price here in the next few months will be the big driving factor on what I’ll be growing this year.”

Revier also added his decision is made after he knows the guaranteed minimum revenue protection based off his crop insurance.

Even with a full schedule, Revier finds time for another passion – ice hockey. He mentioned this is really the only instance he utilizes a prosthetic. Having played the sport since he was in first grade, he currently suits up as goalie for the national standing amputee ice hockey team.

Revier joined the USA adult team when he was 14 years old and has competed in many places, including Canada and Finland.  Once a year, his team travels to a different location in the United States for friendly competition with Warrior hockey teams – a program through USA Hockey for injured and disabled U.S. military veterans. Last year, he stated the tournament was held in St. Louis, Mo. “It’s a good way for our team to stay active and play against good competition. The Warrior program is quite impressive – the numbers that they have and the turnout they have in each city, Revier said.

While Revier commented standing ice hockey is not yet a Paralympic sport, he is hopeful one day it will be. He stated he enjoys having the opportunity to spend time with others sharing a common interest. A value, it seems, that’s also proven beneficial in occupation and in life. 

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As I write this in mid-March, the temperature at noon is 52 degrees That is truly amazing, seeing Lake Minnewaska free of ice; the fields I’ve been picking rocks in are dry as a bone. Dust is flying – even the low spots where the tillage tool last fall was working in swamp grass and cattails, that soil is dry, too.

It is pretty nice to go from the fields to the roads, and not leave a trail of mud from the wheels!

Small grains (oats and wheat) are going in the ground I hear. Coops are spreading some fertilizer for those crops, but it’s way too early to apply fertilizer for corn and soybeans. But it’s Minnesota, and things can change in a hurry. Stay tuned!

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Please contact David Tollefson with thoughts or comments on this or future columns at: adtollef@hcinet.net