Profiles of four young farmers leading in the industry
Kate Danner, Matt Hulsizer, Justin Rahn and Thomas Titus represent a new generation of agriculture leaders.
U-pick operation adds education to crop farm
It wasn’t enough for Kate Danner to continue farming the 1,400 acres of corn and soybeans on her family’s Mercer County farm. She has added some color.
“Last year, in the middle of COVID, I made a new business plan, a U-pick flower farm,” she said.
Justin Rahn thoughtfully considers how money is spent both on his own farm and in his role as Illinois representative on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
The 36-year-old and his wife Ellen raise cattle and row crops with her family in Carroll County in northwest Illinois and hold leadership roles in agricultural organizations.
Pride in pigs drives independent Illinois producer
Thomas Titus is all in on pigs.
He takes pride in his profession and it shows in his interactions with fellow producers. That is among reasons he was recently named president of the Illinois Pork Producers Association after serving on the board for several years.
