Apr. 30—Historic issues often determine the migration patterns of people. The Magsamen family, this week’s Farm Family of the Week, is one example. Greg Magsamen gives some of the history and outlines the family’s operation.
How long has your family been farming. How and why did your family come to this area, and where did they come from?
My great-great-grandparents immigrated to the United States in the mid-1800s from the Alsace Lorraine area of Germany, where they farmed. In school, they spoke German for half the day and French for the other half because of war and the changing boundary.
I believe they left Germany due to the constant conflict. They sailed on the Queen Victoria from Havre, France, to New Orleans and then up the Mississippi River. They then settled in the Pesotum area and continued their farming occupation.
In the early 1920s, my grandfather Henry moved the family to Rockwell, Iowa, because of cheaper land prices. That is where my father, Gilbert, was born. Then the Depression hit, and they lost everything and moved back to the Pesotum area.
My parents, Gilbert and Celestine, moved to the Ivesdale area to farm with Dad’s brother in the late ’40s. A few years later, my parents got the opportunity to farm with my mother’s uncle, so they moved to the White Heath area. That is where they raised their family of seven children, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, hay, cattle and hogs.
My mother did get a job in Champaign in the mid-’80s to help with expenses during the farm-crisis years.
I helped my dad on the farm at home as well as working for various neighbors. The jobs included driving a tractor, baling hay, shelling corn or walking beans.
My wife, Sally, and I started farming together in the early ’80s. My brother Bernie and I took over the family farm in the mid-’80s. Now I farm with my son, Cory, who started farming full time when he got out of college. Cory brought some fresh ideas on ag production and diesel tech from Parkland College. He does most of our mechanical and computer software work.
What does your farming operation consist of? Is it strictly a grain operation, or do you also have livestock?
We grow corn, soybeans, non-GMO soybeans and wheat, as well as raise a few cattle for beef for our own use. The majority of our corn goes to a food-grade facility, so I tell others, “Eat the yellow corn chips; they are better for you.”
Where is your farm operation?
Our farm operation is located in southwestern Champaign County and east-central Piatt County. The majority of our farm ground is in cover crops and no-till, to reduce erosion, promote cleaner water and sustainability. We started down this path approximately 10 years ago and have been pleased with the results.
How many people in the family does the operation support?
Our farm currently involves my wife and myself; our son, Cory, and his wife, Emilee. Our daughter, Kristen, also helps with auger wagon duties in the fall. It is all in the family.
Do you have any members of the family in the farm operation also working other jobs?
Everyone involved has another job. Sally is a manager with Communications Data Group. However, she is giving that up in the fall to become a full-time farmer. Kristen is a nurse at Kirby Medical Center in Monticello. Emilee is the ag teacher and FFA adviser at Heritage High School. Cory does mechanical work and also works with me doing farm drainage and excavation work outside of the farming season.
How have you seen farming change over the years?
Over the years, farming has made tremendous changes, including the larger equipment to GPS technology — from an open station tractor with four-row equipment to tractors with a climate-controlled cab that drives itself.
Your farm equipment: Green (John Deere), red (Case IH) or other?
We farm with mostly Case IH equipment, but we do have a little green and yellow as well.
What makes farming such a good vocation?
For me, the best part about farming is working with family. I think it is a great background to raise children, and I love the hours (they are flexible). I like doing several different jobs each week (sometimes each day).
If you could change one thing about farming, what would it be?
One change I would like to see would be to reverse the expansion of large corporate-type farms to allow more opportunity for smaller family farms or beginning farmers. It is so difficult for a young person to get started farming now. The landlord-tenant relationship is disappearing, and I wish more landowners would make an effort to help young farmers.
Cory and I have been very fortunate to have landlords that are understanding and have helped us grow our operation.
What’s the best time of year to be on the farm?
I truly enjoy all seasons, but I love the spring of the year when it starts to warm up and dry out.
That is when we get to go out and start a new season.