Row Crops Are Big Business in Indiana
In partnership with: Indiana State Department of Agriculture
From corn and soybeans to wheat and other cereal grains, row crops are essential to Indiana’s ranking as the No. 10 state in the nation for agricultural production.
Cline Farms
Cline Farms in Kirklin began when Mike and Nancy Cline married in 1976. Today, almost 50 years later, with the help of two of their sons, the farm plays a part in ranking Indiana No. 5 in the nation for corn and hog production and No. 4 for soybeans.
“Most of our corn is hauled to POET [a bioprocessor] to be used in ethanol production,” Nancy says. “We grow seed beans for Bayer, which are beans grown to harvest for seeds rather than use in foods or animal feeds, and approximately 16,000 pigs for Indiana Packers.”
Efficiency and taking care of the land is an important focus of farming for the Cline family.
“Equipment improvements and technology have enabled us to be more efficient,” Nancy says.
Cline Farms is now able to be more efficient and eco-aware by precisely applying the optimum amount of nutrients, pesticides and herbicides on their crops. This precision allows them to protect their land and manage input costs. The family also recently started a solar energy project to offset electricity costs.
“These changes through the years may be challenging, but they are quite rewarding,” Nancy says. “I love the land and the satisfaction in planting the seeds, nurturing the plants and then observing how God miraculously provides the sunshine, rain and fertile soil to enable us to harvest a bountiful crop.”
See more: Stroh Orchard in Indiana Offers a Bounty of Produce Throughout the Year
Lamb Farms Inc.
Lamb Farms Inc. in Lebanon began in the 1960s, and the second generation is keeping it going.
Indiana ranks No. 2 in the nation for popcorn production thanks to Lamb Farms and other popcorn growers. In addition, the family produces dozens of varieties of corn, wheat and soybeans. A large portion of the corn crop is popcorn, and the rest of the corn is later made into cornstarch.
“A lot of the cornstarch corn goes to Ingredion,” says Don Lamb, a main owner of the farm. “Weaver Popcorn is our second biggest market on the corn side.”
The family also raises seed stock for soybeans and wheat for Pioneer.
Lamb came back to the family farm with his brother in 1989 after graduating from Purdue University and has seen two major changes, starting with technology.
“Everything we do across the field is controlled by a computer, from the way we steer to the way we plant seed,” Lamb says.
Increasing technology also changes the personal aspects of the farm.
“People have become so important because you have fewer people running bigger, more advanced equipment,” Lamb says.
He says the best part of being a row crop farmer at a generational farm is the opportunity to work with his family and carry on the tradition.
See more: Where to Find Local Indiana Produce, Meat, Flowers and More
Triple S Smith Farms Inc.
Triple S Smith Farms Inc. in Tipton County is owned and operated by a third-generation farm family.
After attending Purdue University, Scott and Terri Smith were married and began farming in 1975. Since then, the Smiths have been producing corn, soybeans and processing tomatoes.
Most of the corn is sold to nearby ethanol facilities, and the rest goes to food grade production. The soybeans are contracted for seed production to Beck’s Hybrids.
“Farming feeds and fuels the world. There are good and bad years with plenty of challenges in between, but you endure it.”
– Scott Smith, Triple S Smith Farms Inc.
Indiana ranks No. 3 in the U.S. for tomatoes, and the Smiths are proud to contribute to that statistic.
“The tomatoes we grow are for processing products, such as whole peeled, diced, ketchup, salsa and juices,” Scott says.
The family contracts their tomatoes to Red Gold Inc., which is the largest family-owned tomato company in the world.
“Farming feeds and fuels the world,” Scott says. “There are good and bad years with plenty of challenges in between, but you endure it. You remember farming is bigger than you. It’s a gift God has given us the ability to do.”