A Visit to Gordon Farms

A Visit to GORDON FARMS

Farming is well known to be a family affair. For nearly three quarters of a century, a member of the Gordon family has been farming in Swift County, Minnesota. Little did Arthur Gordon know when he purchased his first piece of land in the 1940s that a new tradition was beginning. That tradition proudly continues today, albeit with a few more acres and a few more family members.

Today, 7,500 acres are farmed by the Gordon family, which is made up of brothers Adrian and Brian Gordon along with their brother-in-law Reid Carlson. In addition, Adrian’s son Andy, Brian’s son David, and Reid’s son Ryan have all joined the farm as the fourth generation.

If you visit the farm, you will find sugar beets, corn, sweet corn, and soybeans growing in their fields. Although livestock is not part of the farm today, beef cattle had been raised by the family up until 2006.

Working with AgCountry

Prior to officially working with AgCountry beginning in 2008, members of Gordon Farms attended educational meetings put on by the cooperative. It was here that they began to see value in doing business with AgCountry. One aspect that stood out most to Gordon Farms was the staff.

“When we went to make our first visit to AgCountry in 2007, we were treated with open arms,” recalls Adrian. “Some of the most incredible people worked on our loan and put things together that just sold us on the fact that this is an organization that we want to be a part of. We started pretty small, but within six months we were in tune with AgCountry.”

Brian echoes those thoughts when it comes to working with their insurance specialist.

“One of the biggest reasons we do business with AgCountry is the professionalism they bring to the table on keeping us aware of our crop insurance needs,” states Brian. “They are always there if we need them.”

Relationships are important in farming and ranching. Establishing trust between the farmer and lender is how successful relationships are built. At Gordon Farms, this trust comes into play in everything they do.

“When we have this strong partnership with our insurance specialist or loan officer, and they have our best interests in mind, as challenges or opportunities come our way, we can all throw everything on the table and figure out what is the best thing for Gordon Farms,” said Ryan.

From Left to Right: Ryan Carlson, Reid Carlson, Andy Gordon, Brian Gordon, Adrian Gordon, and David Gordon

Keys to Success

When working in a capital-intensive industry like agriculture, there is tremendous power in recordkeeping. At Gordon Farms, detailed recordkeeping has been a practice for decades. In fact, they can trace every chemical or fertilizer application on their land dating back to the 1980s.

“We know exactly what has been done to our land,” said Adrian. “We know the fertility, the crops that have been taken off, the yields, and all that ties together.”

These diligent records allow Gordon Farms to make better informed decisions when it comes to the management of their land. In a period of high input prices, every little bit can go a long way towards farm profitability.

Daily 7:00 a.m. meetings at Gordon Farms

Accurate records also play an important role in maintaining a good working relationship with a lender. By keeping good records, your loan officer will be in a better position to offer recommendations on how to navigate your financial landscape. As everyone in agriculture knows, economic conditions can change quickly.

“When the farm economy is headed in the wrong direction, use your records to work with your loan officer more often instead of less,” offers up Adrian. “This will prevent surprises during difficult times.”

Habits can be hard to break the more they are practiced. When it comes to knowing every detail on your farm or ranch, establishing a good habit early on can pay great dividends further down the road. One of the best pieces of advice Ryan passes along to young or beginning farmers is to “spend the extra time getting the details right.”

Farming for the Future

Sustainability is a word that gets kicked around quite often today.

To Adrian, it is a term that holds great power. Each decision they make today is done so with the notion of maintaining a sustainable future. That mindset applies to both the ground they farm and the people who farm it.

Like soil, a farming business can become depleted. That is why each family member who wishes to join the operation must bring something new to the table. With at least six family members now in business together, roles and responsibilities are identified and known to everyone within the group. This dynamic has allowed the family farm to grow while maintaining its sustainability for the future, but more changes may not be too far off.

“I just turned 61,” said Adrian. “Reid just turned 60. Now we are in the phase where we get out and the boys can stay in and be sustainable. We have been very fortunate to be able to get the young generation back.”

With a solid business plan in place and good records to accommodate it, Gordon Farms is well positioned to carry on the family legacy of farming.