Rone Farms
Justin Rone
Hometown: Portageville, MO
Farming Since:
Justin Rone is a big fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He shares his love of sports with his two kids, Jack and Violet, with his wife Lesley. The Rone family farms a row-crop operation of soybeans, corn and cotton.
Share this:
Farmer Q&A
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve been married to Lesley for 13 years and we have two children: Jack (11) and Violet (9). I am a Mizzou, Washington, and Lee Law alum. I am a big St. Louis Cardinals fan and love to travel.
Tell us a little about your farm.
We have a family row-crop operation growing soybeans, corn and cotton. I can’t talk about the farm without mentioning our amazing group of landlords-who are true partners-and the super group of guys who really get the work done each spring and fall.
Tell us about your involvement in agriculture.
Agriculture has always been a part of my life. I was raised on a family farm in 80’s. Then, I went to Mizzou to study agriculture in the 90’s. I did some ag policy and ag appropriations work for former Rep. Jo Ann Emerson in the 2000’s. Now I am raising my kids on the family farm.
It’s been a lifetime of favorite memories! The first that comes to mind is cotton harvest with my grandfather, hauling cotton trailers to the gin. Fun times.”
Should tractors be red or green?
They should be reliable. We run both and have great Deere and Case-IH dealers in Portageville, Missouri.
What is your favorite planting or harvest snack?
Anything sour. Sour Patch Kids or Sour Skittles.
What are you listening to while working?
Morning: Bloomberg Surveillance and Rural Radio Market Report.
Afternoon: The Country Roads playlist on Apple Music.
Who are your favorite ag influencers to follow?
Anyone bringing reliable information and honest opinions. I prefer to search for specific information or topics I’m interested in, instead of following feeds.
First, find your passion. Second, look for how that passion intersects with ag. The ag industry is large and diverse with lots to offer and full of amazing people. The opportunities to raise a family, provide a service, be innovative and have an impact on your community are unlimited in this industry.”
Who is your biggest influence?
My wife, who makes me a better person every day. Then my parents. I am blessed to have both still in my life.
Do you incorporate any sustainable practices on your farm?
We have participated in Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). We also have utilized Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) for marginal ground. We are continually making investments to reduce energy consumption and maximize the inputs we purchase.