Marc Collins is a fifth-generation farmer from Murdock in west-central Minnesota, where he grows corn and soybeans. Growing up in a Farm Bureau family, becoming a member was a natural way for Marc to stay involved in agriculture and advocate for the industry. Today, he serves as vice president of the Swift County Farm Bureau.

 

What does the current season look like for you?
 During this time of the year, we are checking our equipment, making sure it is prepared for when we start corn and soybean harvest in a few weeks. We are also scouting the fields to get an early idea of what kind of yield we might be expecting.

 

What does sustainability mean to you?
 When I think of sustainability, it means being able to both financially sustain the farm and leave the land better than I found it. We do that by using practices like variable rate planting and fertilizing to apply the correct amount of inputs to each field, so we’re using resources wisely and caring for the land.

 

What matters the most to you as a farmer?
 What matters most to me as a farmer is being able to grow a safe and high-quality product that can be used for many different things, like animal feed or ethanol.

 

What is your favorite way to connect with consumers?
 My favorite way to connect with consumers is to answer their questions and address any concerns or things they are curious about. I also like giving farm tours to share our story!

 

What is your favorite thing about Farm Bureau?
 My favorite thing about Farm Bureau is being able to share the diversity of agriculture while working toward a common goal. We all come from different farms, but we all focus on supporting agriculture.

 

What is your favorite Farm Bureau event?
 My favorite Farm Bureau event is the LEAP Conference. I enjoy connecting with individuals around my age and learning about their different agricultural experiences. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships.

 

How has agriculture shaped who you are as a person?

I learned from a young age that work has to be done to reap rewards. When it’s a busy season, you may be putting in long hours, but it will hopefully be a great crop to harvest. I grew up with my parents teaching me that if you help out on the farm, we can take time off later.