Brenner Farms LLC
John Brenner
Hometown: Morrison, MO
Farming Since: 2012
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.
Share this:
Farmer Q&A
Tell us a little about yourself.
My family had dairy cattle growing up, and I remember helping them milk. After my family moved, I continued working on a beef and row crop farm after school, during the summer and throughout college. After graduating from college, I continued to work for the same farmer, running the combine for him until our farm we have now come up for sale. When I am not farming, I also work as an agent for Shelter Insurance; I have been working for them for about ten years now.
Tell us a little about your farm.
We raise corn and soybeans. Going into the spring, we had about 50 head of cattle, but now we only have about 35-40 head due to things happening within the market. We farm the land where we live and then we also farm some different pieces of land around the area.
“Oftentimes, people drive or walk by fields along the road and have no idea how a corn plant makes corn and what’s involved. I find enjoyment in teaching and explaining to my kids the pollination process and how plants develop, but if it doesn’t happen properly, then what the result will be.”
Should tractors be red or green?
We are John Deere people.
What is your favorite planting or harvest snack?
Peanut M&M’s.
What are you listening to while working?
I listen to a log of ag podcast related to agenomics or the market.
Explaining the process slows them down and allows them to listen and think about what I am teaching them. It way be days or weeks later, but if we’re driving by the same field and my kids ask a question or bring up something that I told them about the plants, that really makes me feel good.”
Who is your biggest influence?
I would say there have been a couple of key people in my life that I have leaned on throughout the years for help and advice.
Do you incorporate any sustainable practices on your farm?
We started strip-till a few years ago and have experimented with no-till. We have also tired a few different methods of applying fertilizer.