MN Agriculture: Paul and LeAnne Syring, A Farm Family Working Together

Day 26 of my “30 Days of MN Agriculture” is Paul and LeAnne Syring from Granite Falls. Granite Falls is located in west central Minnesota. The Syrings farm together with their extended farm family. They grow corn, soybeans, wheat and also raise cattle. Along with farming, they also operate a trucking business – a diversified farming business.

Tell me a little about your farm and/or business?

“We raise corn, soybeans, and wheat on our family farm. Paul is the third generation of Syring’s on the home farm, our son David partners with us as the 4^th generation, with his two boys Tyler, 12 and Ryan, 8 coming in at 5^th generation. We also have a cattle feedlot business with our son David in which we raise Holstein feeder cattle. For the past 30 years we have also owned and operated a trucking company, which employs 6 drivers.”

How long have you farmed or been in business?

“Paul began farming with his grandfather and father. At the age of 12 he rented 80 acres of land. He has always wanted to farm and enjoys living and working on his family farm. Our son David joined us in the farming operation officially when he graduated high school. He had always worked outside since he could walk and decided that farming was what he wanted to do.

Currently, Paul’s father is retired, but still helps out driving tractor, helping with repairs, and mowing around the farm. In the fall after the corn harvest, we bale the cornstalks for cattle bedding.”

Tell me a little about what you grown/raise/produce or service provided.

“We grow corn, soybeans, and wheat. We also raise feeder cattle.”

Where do you sell or provide services to? Who is your end consumer?

“We use some of our corn crop to feed our cattle. We also bale the corn stalks for bedding as well as baling the wheat straw. Our remaining produce is marketed. Our feeder cattle are also marketed as fats.”

What makes your farm/business unique or special? What are you proud of?

“In the fall after the corn harvest, we bale the cornstalks for cattle bedding. Our crew consists of four generations working together. Darrel, 84, Paul, 55, David, 34 and David’s two boys Ryan, 8, and Tyler, 12, can be found all working to get the stalk chopping, baling, picking up and hauling the bales done together.”

If there is one thing you could change about farming it would be . . .

“We would like to receive a fair market price for our crops. The production costs and market price leave a small margin making the risk of farming great. We have had to diversify and keep three businesses going in order to keep everything afloat.”

What do you love most about farming/business?

“We love having the family work together. Dad, Son, Grandson, and Great-grandsons working together to plant a crop, pray for good growing conditions, and harvest in the fall. The time spent together is a blessing.”

What is one thing you wish consumers knew about what you do or your farm/business?

“We wish that people would realize the dedication that goes into farming. It is not a 9 to 5 job with weekends off. We work 7 days a week and put in long days. This lifestyle is our choice and we are grateful, but we work hard. There are sacrifices and joys, but we do the best that we can. Every decision made is made in good faith to produce the best product that we can.”

What makes Minnesota the place to farm/grow/raise/produce/service?

“Minnesota is a place of four beautiful seasons. To farm in this beautiful place is a blessing. Each season brings about different duties and responsibilities, but also brings variety and challenges.”

What is one thing about Minnesota that people from other areas do not know about or are missing because they don’t live here?

“People hear about Minnesota nice, but unless you come here to experience it first hand, you have no idea. When a neighbor is sick people turn out with food and supplies to support the family. When a tragedy strikes people band together to help each other out. We have been a part of two of our cities as they went through natural disasters. Our farm tractors and loaders have helped city clean-ups after tornadoes and helped in preparation of floods. Service to neighbors and community is a part of who Minnesotans are. We are proud to say we are from Minnesota.”

What is your favorite Minnesota location?

“One of our favorite Minnesota locations is the farm. At night, when you stand outside and look to the sky, you see millions of stars, and here the quiet of the country. It is a peace that knows no measure.”

Read the other people featured in my “30 Days of MN Ag. ”

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