SOYBEAN FARMERS OF MISSOURI
The stories of the people behind the production
Soybean farmers work hard on their operation and in their community. They’re focused on sustainably carrying on a tradition and leaving what they have in better condition for the next generation.
Darrell Aldrich
Darrell Aldrich of Clay County is proud to pass agriculture down to the next generation. He started farming right out of high school in 1983, joining his father and his uncle. Now, he gets to work alongside the next generation to join the family farm raising corn, soybeans and cattle. Darrell and his wife, Pam, have dedicated many years to serving the industry, including volunteering in roles through Missouri Farm Bureau.
Denny Mertz
Inspired by his grandfather’s produce and livestock farm, Denny Mertz found a passion for agriculture at a young age. After pursuing a career with Emerson as a design engineering supervisor, he was encouraged to get more involved in agriculture and farm full time. Now, Mertz farms in Elsberry, Missouri, an hour commute from his home in Chesterfield. He and his wife, Valerie, have found ample opportunities to get involved in the industry.
Nathan White
Nathan White is a proud Missouri farmer, growing corn, soybeans and raising Angus cattle alongside his family on their farm, settled in 1868. After a stint at FCS Financial, he returned to his roots, where he juggles farm life, volunteering with ag organizations, and enjoying a good Casey’s Taco pizza in the fields. Married to his wife Kylie, he’s passionate about keeping the farm thriving for future generations—and fun fact, he swears by creamer with soy products in his coffee!
Kyle Durham
Hailing from the Soybean Capital of the World in Norborne, Missouri, Kyle Durham is a sixth-generation farmer. Along with his wife, Courtney, he has two sons, Simeon, 16, and Elijah, 12. The family farm, established by his grandfather after World War II, spans about 2,500 acres of row crops in the Missouri River bottoms. In addition to farming, Kyle owns and operates The Slaboratory, a woodworking business specializing in unique handmade home furnishings, and he is an avid homebrewer.
Ronnie Russell
For over 45 years, Ronnie Russell has kept a diverse operation running. On their farm in Richmond, MO, they raise soybeans corn, wheat, cattle, sunflowers and run a fertilizer business. When Ronnie isn’t on the farm, he strives to bring people who need to become more familiar with agriculture to the farm.
Justin Rone
Justin Rone has spent a lifetime creating cherished memories on his family’s soybean, corn and cotton farm. He is now working to pass on that love to his children, Jack and Violet, with his wife Lesley. In addition to farming, Justin is also instilling in his children a love for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Mizzou Tigers.
Matt Wright
From row-crop to cattle, Matt Wright operates a five generation family farm in wester Marion County. Matt and his wife, Erin, raise their four children,: Levi, Nathan, Abigail, and Elisabeth, on the farm. They enjoy raising their kids and being active within their sports and music activities.
Dane Diehl
Dane Diehl, a proud fifth-generation farmer, farms alongside his father and brothers on their diversified operation in Bates County. The family raises a small herd of cattle, soybeans, corn and a few specialty crops. He and his wife, Erica, live in Butler, Mo, where they raise their two children, Levelle and Kroy. In addition to his full-time job as a farmer, Dane also serves as an elected official in Jefferson City.
Aaron Porter
Aaron Porter fell in love with farming at a young age while learning from his grandfather about what it means to lead a life well lived. Now, Porter spends his time in the field, farming with his father-in-law, wife and children in Stoddard County on an irrigated cotton, corn, soybean and sweet corn operation. When he’s not farming, he’s busy serving on several boards at the local and state levels.
Tim Gottman
Tim has been farming alongside his brother, Trent, since 1989 on their row-crop operation of soybeans, wheat, corn and cover crops in Marion County. He is farming where he was born and raised, and continued to do so with his four children and two grandchildren. When Tim isn’t on the farm, he serves as a board member on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and a holds a leadership role with the Soy Transportation Council.
Russell Wolf
Russell is married to his wife, Stacey, where they have two children. He grew up on a farm and then married into a row-crop family in central Missouri, where he is now a partner in Brauer Farm’s LLC. He raises soybeans, corn and occasionally wheat. In Russell’s spare time, he enjoys camping and boating with his family at Truman Lake.
Marc Zell
Marc Zell lives on a diversified, row crop and cattle operation in north central Missouri with his four sons and wife, Brooke. In his own words, Marc has been farming since the beginning of time, or at least before he could remember. However, he raised his first crop in 2000. Marc’s involvement in agriculture doesn’t end on the farm. He also serves on the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council.
John Brenner
John found his life’s passion at a young age, growing up on a dairy farm and later working as a hired hand on a diversified operation throughout high school. Now, when he’s not working as an insurance agent, he works on his family’s row crop farm. He farms alongside his wife, Kelly, and various part-time help throughout the year. They have two children, Brock and Kenna.
Roger Paulsmeyer
Roger Paulsmeyer was born and raised in Chamois, Missouri where he has continued his family farm. He graduated from high school in 1972 and has been farming ever since. He gained his love for farming, and his self-proclaimed aggressive attitude, from his father and has since passed on his love of the profession to his son, Matthew, who works alongside him.
Mark Lehenbauer
During college, Mark Lehenbauer stayed connected to agriculture by competing on the University of Missouri’s livestock judging team. He then fulfilled his dream of returning to the family farm after graduation. Now a fourth generation, full-time farmer, Mark, alongside his wife, brother and father, spends most of his time working on their corn, soybean, wheat and cow/calf operation while listening to a playlist of grunge, pop and country music.
Robert Alpers
Robert Alpers is a generational farmer who grew up working on his family’s operation with his father and two brothers. He has continued the tradition of passing on the farm and today he farms with his son Nathan who operates the family business. Their diversified farm focuses on growing soybeans, corn and wheat while managing a cow/calf operation. Robert and Nathan practice sustainability by implementing cover crops, no-till, terraces and waterways on their farm while rotating crops each season.
Renee Fordyce
Renee Fordyce used to describe herself as a city girl… until she married Richard in 1989. Now she serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Fordyce Farms, doing all the banking, marketing, payroll and tax preparation for their operation. On their farm, Renee and Richard grow corn and soybeans and have a cow/calf operation. As an active member of her community, Renee serves on several local and state boards while also working off the farm as a nurse.
Cody Brock
Cody Brock, proud father, husband and farmer, raises row crops and cattle with his father in northwest Missouri. However, his work extends beyond the farm and family, from being an active community member to treasurer for the Missouri Soybean Association Board, Cody wears many hats. Cody is working to create a generational legacy by instilling the values of rural life and agriculture into his two daughters.