Each month, Eagle Radio in Great Bend is recognizing groups or individuals that make a big impact on our community. This Appreciation Month is highlighting farmers.
By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
“Things just have a way of working out.”
A quote from Jed Fleske as he described how he went from studying agriculture
business to owning his own farm near Larned.
“When you’re young, you just think you know it all,” said Fleske. “You come out
of college with all this information but then realize you still have a lot to
learn.”
Jed, and his four siblings, grew up in Great Bend on Eisenhower Street and
within walking distance of Lincoln Elementary School. With his dad farming just
north of Larned, the Fleskes moved to Larned when Jed started middle school.
“After Larned High School, I went to Pratt Community College,” said Fleske. “Then
I transferred to Fort Hays State University and graduated in 2007 with an ag
business degree.”
Fleske enjoyed working with numbers and with a farming background, felt an agriculture
finance career would best fit his interests.
“I just didn’t think there was a place for me on the farm but still wanted to
be in touch with the ag world,” said Fleske. “After college, I was able to help
my aunt and uncle farm their land. Things took off from there. I never did work
in the ag finance world.”
While helping his aunt and uncle, Fleske worked part-time with Monsanto Company
as a field claims specialist.
“Jumping right into farming, you quickly realize the expense that goes into it,”
said Fleske. “It’s tough. It’s not an easy job, but hard work and determination
pay off.”
After three years helping his aunt and uncle, Fleske started expanding on his
own with former CRP ground and irrigated land.
“Unfortunately one of my uncles passed away in 2015,” said Fleske. “My wife and
I decided to buy the farm from my aunt and then moved out to the farm.”
Jed still farms with his dad but also has a full-time employee that works for
him along with part-time help during the summer. The crew farms wheat, corn,
milo, soybeans and alfalfa in Pawnee, Barton and Rush counties.
Conservation is something Fleske has taken very seriously since starting his
own farm. In 2014, he was put on the Pawnee County Conservation District board.
“When I came back from college, we didn’t no-till at all,” said Fleske. “Very
few acres were sprayed. Now, we’re real close to 100% no-till. We use a lot of
cover crops. If we take care of the soil it will take care of us.”
For Fleske, it has never been about being as big as possible. He’s always
wanted to be the best he can with what he has.
“You always want to grow, but you have to sit back and do the best you can with
what you have,” said Fleske. “People see that. Then you get calls asking you to
farm their land.”
Fleske noted there is nothing like being your own boss.
“I can’t stand sitting around in the house,” said Fleske. “I’m always on the
go. If there is something that needs done, I’m going to go do it. I can walk
out the front door and go to work.”
Fleske’s wife is a teacher at Larned Elementary School but still helps out on
the farm. That help is something Jed is hopeful that will also eventually
come from his three daughters, with the oldest one being 11 years old.
“I told my wife, we’re going to need to have more kids because I’m going to
need more help,” joked Fleske.
While his degree in agriculture business has helped Fleske, he stated there is
no way he could anything but farm.
“I’m hooked,” said Fleske. “I’m busy enough that there is no way I could ever
do something like that. I just don’t have enough time to do something else
besides farm.”
Things just have a way of working out.
Read the previous Appreciation Month stories by clicking HERE.