On a family farm in Mills County, step inside the red bars dotting the property, and you'll get quite the greeting from the hundreds of pigs who just moved in. "So there's 500 in this building. There's 200 out north," said Dane Kruse. Dane, 23, and his sister Kelsey Kruse, 26, both work on the farm."My brother and I, we are the 6th generation family farmers here," Kelsey Kruse said. Their father still works alongside them, but this sibling duo plans to keep farming in their future. According to numbers from the USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture, the average age of all agriculture producers is 57.5. Those statistics put Dane and Kelsey in a unique category, and that is exactly what landed them in a national ad for Chipotle, focusing on young farmers. "We never would have expected any type of marketing publicity at a little farm in southwest Iowa," Dane Kruse said. The Kruse family raises hogs for Niman Ranch, which they said sells to places like Chipotle and Panera Bread. The company has strict standards. On the Kruse farm, the family said hogs are anti-biotic free, naturally raised with more room than standard confinement and fed a vegetarian diet. From the barn, to your bowl, the Kruse's said it's all part of farming's future: niche markets and knowing what customers want. "Consumers, more than ever, and we're definitely aware of it, they care more about where their food's coming from," Kelsey Kruse said. Not only is Chipotle sending a message about where its food comes from, it is also throwing financial support behind young farmers. The Kruse's know they're fortunate to have a family history in farming, but they said financial barriers still exist."Both my brother and I have to work off the farm," Kelsey Kruse said, "We work full-time jobs for retirement benefits and benefits in general." Even so, these siblings said farming and producing food is a passion."You could say it's in my blood. You could say I'm crazy, but I just like farming," Dane Kruse said. Chipotle, along with the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and the National Young Farmers Coalition, is accepting seed grant applications aimed at helping young farmers grow their businesses. Through March 29th, individuals can apply to be one of 50 farmers selected to receive a $5,000 grant and a one-year membership to the National Young Farmers Coalition.
On a family farm in Mills County, step inside the red bars dotting the property, and you'll get quite the greeting from the hundreds of pigs who just moved in.
"So there's 500 in this building. There's 200 out north," said Dane Kruse.
Dane, 23, and his sister Kelsey Kruse, 26, both work on the farm.
"My brother and I, we are the 6th generation family farmers here," Kelsey Kruse said.
Their father still works alongside them, but this sibling duo plans to keep farming in their future.
According to numbers from the USDA 2017 Census of Agriculture, the average age of all agriculture producers is 57.5.
Those statistics put Dane and Kelsey in a unique category, and that is exactly what landed them in a national ad for Chipotle, focusing on young farmers.
"We never would have expected any type of marketing publicity at a little farm in southwest Iowa," Dane Kruse said.
The Kruse family raises hogs for Niman Ranch, which they said sells to places like Chipotle and Panera Bread.
The company has strict standards. On the Kruse farm, the family said hogs are anti-biotic free, naturally raised with more room than standard confinement and fed a vegetarian diet.
From the barn, to your bowl, the Kruse's said it's all part of farming's future: niche markets and knowing what customers want.
"Consumers, more than ever, and we're definitely aware of it, they care more about where their food's coming from," Kelsey Kruse said.
Not only is Chipotle sending a message about where its food comes from, it is also throwing financial support behind young farmers.
The Kruse's know they're fortunate to have a family history in farming, but they said financial barriers still exist.
"Both my brother and I have to work off the farm," Kelsey Kruse said, "We work full-time jobs for retirement benefits and benefits in general."
Even so, these siblings said farming and producing food is a passion.
"You could say it's in my blood. You could say I'm crazy, but I just like farming," Dane Kruse said.
Chipotle, along with the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation and the National Young Farmers Coalition, is accepting seed grant applications aimed at helping young farmers grow their businesses.
Through March 29th, individuals can apply to be one of 50 farmers selected to receive a $5,000 grant and a one-year membership to the National Young Farmers Coalition.
More here:
Young farmers from southwest Iowa featured in national ad campaign - KETV Omaha
