Jackie and Colton
Southeast of Topeka, KS
How did Jackie and Colton’s partnership begin?
For over 20 years, Jackie farmed organically with a focus on small grains, cover crops, and some row crops like milo. She used programs through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), to obtain funding to support weed management on her land. In particular, an ongoing battle with Johnson grass motivated her to partner with different operators over the years. Cattle grazed by these operators helped to keep the Johnson grass in check, while other operators leased land from Jackie and grew organic animal feed.
As Jackie’s equipment aged and the Johnson grass became increasingly difficult to deal with, she opted to surrender her organic certification and began to think about ways to move forward with the management of her land. The answer arrived in the form of her neighbor, Colton, who had recently moved in across the street and was seeking somewhere to graze his hair sheep and expand his operation.
With a full-time job in construction and a young family, Colton was drawn to regenerative agriculture because of his sense that it would help him to grow and manage his sheep herd in alignment with nature and without depending as heavily on investments in equipment and infrastructure. Mindful of the fact that land would be difficult to access, he chose to raise hair sheep because they required less intensive inputs than other livestock might. The hair sheep help to keep the Johnson grass and other noxious weeds in check while providing the benefits to the soil and land that Jackie is passionate about.
“The biggest barrier for us is land access. Leasing land makes a lot more sense than going out and buying something, which is so capital intense. I’m really blessed to have found Jackie and this opportunity, otherwise we probably wouldn’t have even pursued [our operation] because it’s not feasible to go out and buy a piece of ground.”
Colton
What role do values play in Jackie and Colton’s partnership?
As a landowner without children of her own, Jackie spent years studying transition planning resources as she considered the future of her farm. Many of these resources emphasized the important role that shared values play in farm and ranch succession. Jackie and Colton quickly discovered the care they both have for responsibly stewarded land and livestock, and these shared values have continued to inform their goals for the farm.
Jackie and Colton are not shy about maintaining clear communication, proactively bringing up concerns, and sharing knowledge with each other. Jackie provides Colton with important insights from her years of experience operating the farm herself, while Colton has brought a new perspective on stockmanship and animal husbandry to their collaboration. Colton has demonstrated his commitment to the land and business by taking advantage of every learning opportunity possible, from grazing workshops to beginning farmer trainings.
“The reason Jackie and I work so well together is because we have the same end goal and values. If you don’t have the same vision in life, it’s never going to work.”
Colton
Why is it important for landowners like Jackie and young farmers like Colton to work together?
After a couple years of Colton’s sheep herd managing the Johnson grass on Jackie’s farm, the two opted to take the next step and formalize their partnership in a lease agreement. Colton describes the opportunity to lease land from Jackie as a chance to legitimize his sheep enterprise and expand in ways he wouldn’t have been able to otherwise without access to land. He says that her vision for the future keeps him motivated and focused as he makes management decisions.
Jackie, for her part, is thrilled to see animals on the farm effectively managing the weeds and continuing the legacy of land stewardship started by her parents and carried on by her.
“It’s really critical that we all start thinking seriously and asking hard questions with the younger generation, who we are so blessed to be connected to. Those who have the drive to [farm] – we need to do whatever we can to keep that going.”
Jackie
Do you own agricultural land in Kansas?
Are you interested in providing an opportunity to a young farmer or rancher who can carry on your agricultural legacy?
Check out the resources below!
AgKansitions from the Office of Farm and Ranch Transition at K-State offers many services and resources with the mission of keeping families on farms in Kansas. The Land Link program is intended for landowners or retiring producers who are looking to transition to the next generation. Real connections are made in this program between landowners like you and young farmers!
Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS) can help to answer your questions about succession planning, farm ownership transfer, financial implications, and much more.
FarmTender is an online service created to match landowners and operators who are both interested in regenerative practices.
The American Farmland Trust has an abundance of resources for planning your farm or ranch transition and beyond. Whether you are transitioning to someone within in your family or someone outside of it, this toolkit can help you to clarify your goals and take the next steps.
Before you even connect with a young farmer or rancher, it’s important to understand your vision for the future of your agricultural land. This workbook, created by experts in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Extension system, walks you through essential questions that are relevant to landowners and producers across the country in the process of transitioning.
Videos by Michael Wunsch, Edward Wunsch, Olivia Crouch, and Claire Wineman.
