“There’s two things I can talk about forever, and that’s farming and fishing.”
Whether he’s out in his fields or out on the water, as long as he’s outside, Jeff Hanson, 58, is completely in his element. The dozens of taxidermied deer and wildlife trophies adorning the walls of his home near Columbia, South Dakota stand as a testament to that fact. But not just anything gets on that wall. These days, in order to preserve his remaining wall space, Jeff sets a high bar to qualify for a spot, and as much as he loves fishing, there’s something he’s still missing – a 30-inch trophy walleye, which he hopes to bag during one of his frequent trips to the Missouri River.
“Any chance I get, if the fish are biting and I’ve got the farm work done, I get out there at least for a day or two,” Jeff said. “I’m still waiting to get that 30-incher, but I’ve gotten close – last year, I got one that was 28 and a half. We’ll just have to see how long the good Lord allows me to keep fishing.”
As fun as it is to get out on the water, Jeff’s other responsibilities keep him on the farm, where he’s setting his own high bars for success. Although today the operation covers roughly 2200 acres of corn and soybeans near the shores of Sand Lake in northeastern South Dakota, Jeff didn’t grow up on a farm. However, the farming bug was strong on both sides of his family – all of his uncles on his father’s side and the entirety of his mother’s family farmed, so most of Jeff’s early experiences that developed into his love for farming came from working with relatives.
Whether he’s out in his fields or out on the water, as long as he’s outside, Jeff Hanson, 58, is completely in his element. The dozens of taxidermied deer and wildlife trophies adorning the walls of his home near Columbia, South Dakota stand as a testament to that fact. But not just anything gets on that wall. These days, in order to preserve his remaining wall space, Jeff sets a high bar to qualify for a spot, and as much as he loves fishing, there’s something he’s still missing – a 30-inch trophy walleye, which he hopes to bag during one of his frequent trips to the Missouri River.
“Any chance I get, if the fish are biting and I’ve got the farm work done, I get out there at least for a day or two,” Jeff said. “I’m still waiting to get that 30-incher, but I’ve gotten close – last year, I got one that was 28 and a half. We’ll just have to see how long the good Lord allows me to keep fishing.”
Jeff Hanson with his big catch.
“Dad’s brother, Bob, lived a block away from us,” Jeff said. “I was 12, 13 years old and he’d come and pick me up. We farmed a mile south of Stratford, South Dakota and go to 4 or 5 miles south of Oakes, North Dakota every year, roading a lot of the tractors and combines. I worked with Uncle Bob until I was done with high school.”
In the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Jeff continued working part time on the farm while working various jobs, but he was determined to find a way to establish himself in an operation of his own, eventually focusing his working hours solely toward gaining experience working on a handful of farms around Aberdeen, South Dakota. One of those farmers allowed Jeff to rent a couple quarters of land near another relative, his mother’s brother, Don, who was looking to retire soon. Renting these fields gave Jeff his first taste of full responsibility for field management and farm budgets – and his efforts caught the eye of Uncle Don, who brought him into the fold after seeing how well he handled farming land close to his homeplace.
Jeff’s first season working with his uncle was in 1999, and when Don retired in 2000, Jeff had gained enough of his trust to buy his way into ownership of the operation.
“I am so thankful because I didn’t have a way in,” Jeff said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get started if it weren’t for Uncle Don. If he had said he was going to sell it outright, I never would have had a chance.”
Even with the trust of his uncle, Jeff still had to buy his way in, taking out a beginner farmer loan from the FSA on a wing and a prayer, with only his personal faith that everything would all work out in the end. Fortunately, it did – and at the age of 36, he started his first season as an independent operator.
“I’m now on the homeplace where my mom was born and raised, where my uncle raised his family, and now I get to do the same thing,” Jeff said. “I’m feeling both my grandfathers sitting on my shoulders as I’m out here surrounded by the Sand Lake Refuge, knowing if it weren’t for my faith in God and His plan for me, I wouldn’t be here, so I feel blessed to be able to be here. Farming is in my blood! It’s what I do!”
Although his journey to farm ownership was a long one, Jeff’s love for the work makes it worth all the effort, and his faith reinforces his strength and determination on the farm and in all aspects of his life. In fact, his favorite description of a ‘farmer’s faith’ came up when he was taking marriage classes with his now-wife, Susan. At the time, the couple was nearing their 50s, but had only known each other a few months before getting engaged. Fortunately, the deacon who led the class was familiar with them both and had some understanding of the farming mentality since his father was an experienced ag loan officer at the bank. Jeff will never forget how that deacon described what it means to be a farmer.
As fun as it is to get out on the water, Jeff’s other responsibilities keep him on the farm, where he’s setting his own high bars for success. Although today the operation covers roughly 2200 acres of corn and soybeans near the shores of Sand Lake in northeastern South Dakota, Jeff didn’t grow up on a farm. However, the farming bug was strong on both sides of his family – all of his uncles on his father’s side and the entirety of his mother’s family farmed, so most of Jeff’s early experiences that developed into his love for farming came from working with relatives.
“Dad’s brother, Bob, lived a block away from us,” Jeff said. “I was 12, 13 years old and he’d come and pick me up. We farmed a mile south of Stratford, South Dakota and go to 4 or 5 miles south of Oakes, North Dakota every year, roading a lot of the tractors and combines. I worked with Uncle Bob until I was done with high school.”
In the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Jeff continued working part time on the farm while working various jobs, but he was determined to find a way to establish himself in an operation of his own, eventually focusing his working hours solely toward gaining experience working on a handful of farms around Aberdeen, South Dakota. One of those farmers allowed Jeff to rent a couple quarters of land near another relative, his mother’s brother, Don, who was looking to retire soon. Renting these fields gave Jeff his first taste of full responsibility for field management and farm budgets – and his efforts caught the eye of Uncle Don, who brought him into the fold after seeing how well he handled farming land close to his homeplace.
The view from Jeff Hanson's farm overlooks Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge.
The view from Jeff Hanson's farm overlooks Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge.
According to Jeff, the deacon said, ‘Susan, I know you’re apprehensive about marrying a farmer because you don’t know the ins and outs of being a farmer’s wife, but I can tell you this much – you’ll never meet a more faithful person than a farmer because a farmer has to have faith – in nature, in God – to see what the outcome is going to be. You might have drought, you might have hail, you might have pests, high winds – it’s one of the only owner-operator situations out there that has no control over what he’s going to get. A manufacturer knows what he’s going to get for his efforts; a farmer doesn’t. He grows it, takes it to town, and still doesn’t know what he’s going to get out of it.’
That deacon really wanted to make sure that Jeff’s future bride knew how strong a farmer’s faith must be as it applies to his time, effort, and talents and how that would translate into a committed relationship. Something must have stuck because the couple has been together for nearly 12 years and counting.
Jeff’s first season working with his uncle was in 1999, and when Don retired in 2000, Jeff had gained enough of his trust to buy his way into ownership of the operation.
“I am so thankful because I didn’t have a way in,” Jeff said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get started if it weren’t for Uncle Don. If he had said he was going to sell it outright, I never would have had a chance.”
Even with the trust of his uncle, Jeff still had to buy his way in, taking out a beginner farmer loan from the FSA on a wing and a prayer, with only his personal faith that everything would all work out in the end. Fortunately, it did – and at the age of 36, he started his first season as an independent operator.
“I’m now on the homeplace where my mom was born and raised, where my uncle raised his family, and now I get to do the same thing,” Jeff said. “I’m feeling both my grandfathers sitting on my shoulders as I’m out here surrounded by the Sand Lake Refuge, knowing if it weren’t for my faith in God and His plan for me, I wouldn’t be here, so I feel blessed to be able to be here. Farming is in my blood! It’s what I do!”
Although his journey to farm ownership was a long one, Jeff’s love for the work makes it worth all the effort, and his faith reinforces his strength and determination on the farm and in all aspects of his life. In fact, his favorite description of a ‘farmer’s faith’ came up when he was taking marriage classes with his now-wife, Susan. At the time, the couple was nearing their 50s, but had only known each other a few months before getting engaged. Fortunately, the deacon who led the class was familiar with them both and had some understanding of the farming mentality since his father was an experienced ag loan officer at the bank. Jeff will never forget how that deacon described what it means to be a farmer.
According to Jeff, the deacon said, ‘Susan, I know you’re apprehensive about marrying a farmer because you don’t know the ins and outs of being a farmer’s wife, but I can tell you this much – you’ll never meet a more faithful person than a farmer because a farmer has to have faith – in nature, in God – to see what the outcome is going to be. You might have drought, you might have hail, you might have pests, high winds – it’s one of the only owner-operator situations out there that has no control over what he’s going to get. A manufacturer knows what he’s going to get for his efforts; a farmer doesn’t. He grows it, takes it to town, and still doesn’t know what he’s going to get out of it.’
That deacon really wanted to make sure that Jeff’s future bride knew how strong a farmer’s faith must be as it applies to his time, effort, and talents and how that would translate into a committed relationship. Something must have stuck because the couple has been together for nearly 12 years and counting.
When it comes to getting the job done in the field, though, Jeff’s philosophy is simple.
“My theory has always been if you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you certainly don’t have time to do it over,” he said. “You only get one bite at the apple each season, and a farmer has only 40 planting seasons to get it right.”
So, Jeff focuses on capturing every kernel and maximizing efficiency on every acre. One of his biggest challenges is moisture management and dealing with soil variability within his fields. To combat this problem, he set up his planter for precision variable rate planting and dual hybrid capabilities, with 20/20 meters, DeltaForce, CleanSweeps, and SmartFirmers. He uses this technology to make MZB maps to determine different zones and soil types that allow him to plant multiple hybrids at various populations across the field depending on the characteristics within each zone, while also using those maps to inform fertility decisions.
“I took a leap of faith and spent a lot to set that up, but it really shines on these low moisture years,” he said. “By variable rating N, P, and K, we can put the money where the soil is producing more crop and back it off where it’s producing less. The last thing you want to do in high pH areas is put more urea on because it’ll create more salt. We’ve also found that the last thing you want to do is put a determinant hybrid at higher populations in a high acidity or alkali area because it’ll just put out a stalk with no ear because it’s not able to get the nutrients it needs to put the ear on. If you have a good year with good moisture, fertility, and weed control, we’ve found some of these lower population areas can give you ears the size of your forearm with an 18 x 42 ear. We’ve even found some 20 x 38 and 20 x 42 cobs out there.”
In addition to bringing efficiency to his farm with precision technology, one of the assets Jeff considers most important to the success of his farm is the knowledge and opportunities brought forth from his relationship with his Hefty Agronomist, Chad Jessen, who works with him out of the location in Groton, South Dakota.
“I’ve got such a good relationship with him – he’s probably one of my best friends, not just my agronomist – and if he tells me we should spray the corn twice next year, I don’t question it,” Jeff said. “Basically, he treats this farm like he’s farming it himself through me. That’s why Chad is my agronomist. You couldn’t find a more loyal guy.”
Through Chad, Jeff has also started growing soybeans for Hefty Brand Seed production, and that has challenged him to improve his output even further to maximize seed quality while capturing every seed he produces.
“I’m actually trying to be one of the best seed growers that Hefty’s has,” he said. “I want them to call me to get my seed varieties first.”
To that end, in addition to Hefty’s production practices such as using fungicides to protect the crop throughout the season, Jeff has changed his infrastructure and harvest workflow to create the best possible product quality. For example, he harvests slower, doesn’t use a grain cart when harvesting seed beans, and he runs bin augers slower and fuller – all to minimize damage to seed. Plus, this year he’s invested in bin management systems that allow him to keep seed in ideal condition in all of his bins.
Being a production grower has also allowed Jeff to see the benefits of Hefty Complete Seed Treatments and Naturals products that the company is bringing to the market.
“I love all their supplements and inoculants and biologicals that they’re putting on their corn and soybeans,” he said. “I think that the new 40 Series Corn is going to make us better growers because we can go out a few days earlier and plant in 46- or 48-degree soils. We would always hold the reins back a bit waiting for 50, but let’s face it – the best corn 9 times out of 10 is our earlier planted corn. This year, H4844 is new on our corn ground and it looks absolutely unbelievable, so we’ll probably plant more of that next year.”
On top of high production standards and the season-long benefits of seed treatments, Jeff also appreciates efficiency when it comes to both ordering and picking up product from his local Groton store.
“The guys that they’ve got working in their warehouses – I know Tommy at Hefty’s and Tommy is as fussy as fussy gets,” he said. “You can just tell how much attention he pays when unloading the trucks and monitoring how things get loaded. That says volumes to me. And when you go load chemical with Tim in the chemical warehouse, nothing is leaking, everything is marked, everything is clean. You don’t have to question what’s yours. At other facilities and co-ops, you were just another number. They were just selling a product, you couldn’t ask questions, and they made you feel like you’re just another guy buying inputs. You can get stuff from elsewhere and be scratching your head about what you’re getting, but not at Hefty’s. That’s just the kind of top-notch facility that they have there.”
Much of the business of farming is grounded in relationships, and the linchpin of Jeff’s relationship with Hefty’s comes back to the trust he has in his agronomist, Chad.
“Chad’s someone that’s not going to sugarcoat it for you and tell you what you want to hear,” he said. “If he tells you you’re going to get these corn numbers, unless there’s a production issue with that number, you’re going to get it. Same on the chemical side. If he says it’s going to be in the warehouse in March, it’ll be in the warehouse in March. I know that doesn’t always happen in other places.”
Working with Chad and Hefty Seed Company allows Jeff’s operation to continue to grow and run smoothly because he’s found a reliable partner invested in his success. Which is good, because farmers already have enough to worry about – and Jeff would rather be more concerned about being ready to hit the water when the fish start biting again.
When it comes to getting the job done in the field, though, Jeff’s philosophy is simple.
“My theory has always been if you don’t have time to do it right the first time, you certainly don’t have time to do it over,” he said. “You only get one bite at the apple each season, and a farmer has only 40 planting seasons to get it right.”
So, Jeff focuses on capturing every kernel and maximizing efficiency on every acre. One of his biggest challenges is moisture management and dealing with soil variability within his fields. To combat this problem, he set up his planter for precision variable rate planting and dual hybrid capabilities, with 20/20 meters, DeltaForce, CleanSweeps, and SmartFirmers. He uses this technology to make MZB maps to determine different zones and soil types that allow him to plant multiple hybrids at various populations across the field depending on the characteristics within each zone, while also using those maps to inform fertility decisions.
“I took a leap of faith and spent a lot to set that up, but it really shines on these low moisture years,” he said. “By variable rating N, P, and K, we can put the money where the soil is producing more crop and back it off where it’s producing less. The last thing you want to do in high pH areas is put more urea on because it’ll create more salt. We’ve also found that the last thing you want to do is put a determinant hybrid at higher populations in a high acidity or alkali area because it’ll just put out a stalk with no ear because it’s not able to get the nutrients it needs to put the ear on. If you have a good year with good moisture, fertility, and weed control, we’ve found some of these lower population areas can give you ears the size of your forearm with an 18 x 42 ear. We’ve even found some 20 x 38 and 20 x 42 cobs out there.”
In addition to bringing efficiency to his farm with precision technology, one of the assets Jeff considers most important to the success of his farm is the knowledge and opportunities brought forth from his relationship with his Hefty Agronomist, Chad Jessen, who works with him out of the location in Groton, South Dakota.
“I’ve got such a good relationship with him – he’s probably one of my best friends, not just my agronomist – and if he tells me we should spray the corn twice next year, I don’t question it,” Jeff said. “Basically, he treats this farm like he’s farming it himself through me. That’s why Chad is my agronomist. You couldn’t find a more loyal guy.”
Through Chad, Jeff has also started growing soybeans for Hefty Brand Seed production, and that has challenged him to improve his output even further to maximize seed quality while capturing every seed he produces.
“I’m actually trying to be one of the best seed growers that Hefty’s has,” he said. “I want them to call me to get my seed varieties first.”
To that end, in addition to Hefty’s production practices such as using fungicides to protect the crop throughout the season, Jeff has changed his infrastructure and harvest workflow to create the best possible product quality. For example, he harvests slower, doesn’t use a grain cart when harvesting seed beans, and he runs bin augers slower and fuller – all to minimize damage to seed. Plus, this year he’s invested in bin management systems that allow him to keep seed in ideal condition in all of his bins.
Being a production grower has also allowed Jeff to see the benefits of Hefty Complete Seed Treatments and Naturals products that the company is bringing to the market.
“I love all their supplements and inoculants and biologicals that they’re putting on their corn and soybeans,” he said. “I think that the new 40 Series Corn is going to make us better growers because we can go out a few days earlier and plant in 46- or 48-degree soils. We would always hold the reins back a bit waiting for 50, but let’s face it – the best corn 9 times out of 10 is our earlier planted corn. This year, H4844 is new on our corn ground and it looks absolutely unbelievable, so we’ll probably plant more of that next year.”
On top of high production standards and the season-long benefits of seed treatments, Jeff also appreciates efficiency when it comes to both ordering and picking up product from his local Groton store.
“The guys that they’ve got working in their warehouses – I know Tommy at Hefty’s and Tommy is as fussy as fussy gets,” he said. “You can just tell how much attention he pays when unloading the trucks and monitoring how things get loaded. That says volumes to me. And when you go load chemical with Tim in the chemical warehouse, nothing is leaking, everything is marked, everything is clean. You don’t have to question what’s yours. At other facilities and co-ops, you were just another number. They were just selling a product, you couldn’t ask questions, and they made you feel like you’re just another guy buying inputs. You can get stuff from elsewhere and be scratching your head about what you’re getting, but not at Hefty’s. That’s just the kind of top-notch facility that they have there.”
Much of the business of farming is grounded in relationships, and the linchpin of Jeff’s relationship with Hefty’s comes back to the trust he has in his agronomist, Chad.
“Chad’s someone that’s not going to sugarcoat it for you and tell you what you want to hear,” he said. “If he tells you you’re going to get these corn numbers, unless there’s a production issue with that number, you’re going to get it. Same on the chemical side. If he says it’s going to be in the warehouse in March, it’ll be in the warehouse in March. I know that doesn’t always happen in other places.”
Working with Chad and Hefty Seed Company allows Jeff’s operation to continue to grow and run smoothly because he’s found a reliable partner invested in his success. Which is good, because farmers already have enough to worry about – and Jeff would rather be more concerned about being ready to hit the water when the fish start biting again.