Riekhof Farms
Garrett Riekhof
Hometown: Higginsville, MO
Farming Since:
Garrett Riekhof is a fifth generation farmer that raises soybeans, corn, pigs, horses and cows with his wife, Cara, and their three children. Garrett got his start in agriculture with 4-H and then moved to FFA. Now, he farms full time on his generational farm.
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Farmer Q&A
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Higginsville, Mo, in Lafayette County. I attended Lafayette County C-1 and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri–Columbia. I’ve been married to my wife, Cara, for 21 years, and we have three children, ages 8-18. We live on the same farm my great-grandfather bought in 1905.
Tell us a little about your farm.
Aside from the cows, horses and pigs we have around the farm for our children’s character building, we mainly farm soybeans and white and yellow corn. We are the 5th generation to manage the farm. I enjoy trying different things, and there seems always to be an experiment somewhere. I have two employees, and we try to perform nearly all farm operations in-house. Technology is a staple of how we operate, so much data logging and analysis is done in the off-season.
Tell us about your involvement in agriculture.
It all started in 4-H, and then moved to FFA and spent time working on various farms. During college, I started to understand the diversity and scope of the industry through AFA. After graduation, I became involved in Farm Bureau, a local zoning board, and committees that support our rural community. Now, I serve as treasurer of the Missouri Soybean Association and advocate for soy-based biodiesel. I stay active in ag policy and am constantly trying to implement new production practices that reduce inputs while increasing yields on the farm.
The earliest years were spent with my grandparents, playing yard games in the same front yard my kids and I play in today. Next would be the many hours spent holding tight to the fender of the tractor while row-cultivating or planting with my Dad and, as I got older, driving myself all around our county on an AC 175, baling untold amounts of straw.”
Should tractors be red or green?
Green.
What is your favorite planting or harvest snack?
Trail Mix.
What are you listening to while working?
Depends on my mood: Old country, Southern rock, Blues, Pop or Talk radio.
Who are your favorite ag influencers to follow?
I do not “follow” any ag influencers. I use ‘X’ to keep up on state and national politics and to follow Ag media trends. I use TikTok as much needed musical and comedic relief, and I am trying at BeReal to have fun and show my daily life with mostly my kids’ friends. I do not enjoy Facebook or Instagram.
Whenever you find your passion, a career in agriculture deals with that. The possibilities for Agriculture are only limited by our imagination. Your ag community needs you!”
Who is your biggest influence?
It depends on the topic, but it mainly revolves around close family and community.
Do you incorporate any sustainable practices on your farm?
Yes, our sustainability practices have succeeded so far as I’m raising the 6th generation to nurture our farm. Specifically, we focus heavily on soil sampling by zone and fertilizing prescriptively to optimize revenue per acre. No-till and cover crops, along with gypsum applications, are some examples of work we do to improve soil health. I subscribe to the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship by split applying nitrogen and micronutrients, focusing on rates, timing, and form of nutrition for the specific crop growing. Anything that shows promise to improve nutrient cycling, I’m interested in.