A PartnershipLEADS TO GROWTH

Story by Carrie Bomgardner

Cumberland County, PA

Farmers on the Rise winner Ryan Brown of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, always knew his career path. “Farming wasn’t something I was pushed into,” remembers Ryan. “I enjoyed planting seeds, watching them grow and reaping the harvest. It’s a sense of accomplishment and no two days are ever the same.”

While in middle school, Ryan began milking cows on his grandpa’s 110 acre farm, eventually transitioning to crop and beef cattle work. After high school, Ryan continued farming parttime while also employed as a railroad diesel mechanic for 12 years. He and his wife Andrea eventually bought his grandpa’s farm in 2015.

In 2017 and 2018, Ryan participated in the Ag Biz Masters program, learning about farm business financials and making important connections.

“A high school classmate was in my Ag Biz class and also owned a farm,” Ryan shares. “We started an informal partnership trading equipment back and forth on our farms.”

By 2019, Ryan bought his first combine and large planter to expand his partnership into custom crop work and he also began working as a local Pioneer seed representative. It was a big year that allowed Ryan to leave the railroad and officially farm full-time.

Today, Ryan and his partner continue raising their own crops and combined with custom acreage, crop 4,000 acres for farmers in a three-county area. He direct markets about 20 fed steers and also raises 20 brood cows for club calves. In addition to the seed business, he also leads digital agronomy efforts in a four-county area, taking soil and grid samples for farmers.

Thankful for the award money, Ryan used a portion of the funds to purchase a RTV for the agronomy business and he plans to direct the balance toward updated animal handling equipment.

What’s Ryan’s advice for other aspiring farmers on the rise? “Never pass up an opportunity without at least thinking through it,” he says. “Be ready to step out of your comfort zone.”