Leanne Sutter identifies herself as a mother, a wife and a farmer. She grew up on a family farm and has been married to her husband for 25 years, and is living on his family’s home farm, a farm that has been in his family since 1965.Being a farmer is not without challenge – from marketing to weather – but Leanne is proud of her roots in agriculture and the farming opportunities she and her husband have been able to provide to their sons.It is important to Leanne that all member of her family are stewards of the land, water, air and livestock. When Leanne talks about how pigs are treated on her farm, she lights up. She is confident in knowing that her hogs are healthy. Sutter barns are ventilated, protecting the pigs from the outdoor elements while having all the fresh air they need. She told me that her pigs are low-maintenance. They are size and gender sorted so it is easy to detect sickness or injury. The pigs are well-fed, have plenty of water, are comfortable and overall, Leanne explains, “They seem very happy.”

As a mother, Leanne is happy that she has been able to instill in her children many of the same values that she got from her parents. A strong work ethic and determination to finish what you start are examples she cites.

As a wife and mother, Leanne wants to be sure she is providing safe food and water and environment for her family. She tells me the most rewarding part of being a farmer. She knows the end result of the work they do is a safe product for her family, her neighbors and all consumers.

Being part of the community has been important to Leanne. Having her sons come back and be a part of the family farm and that local community is extremely rewarding.

The Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers helped her family when the Sutter Family built a new hog barn. CSIF helped the Sutter family with neighbor relations during the very trying time. After it was all said and done, neighbors who were opposed to the new hog building have come around and the community awarded her family with the Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award

AUDIO: Conversation with Leanne Sutter

Jacob Sutter is the younger son of Kenny and Leanne. Like other family members, he is actively involved in both crop and livestock production on the Sutter Family Farm near Pleasantville, Iowa.This former FFA member graduated from Ellsworth Community College with degrees in Swine Management and Farm Management.He thought about doing something else, but told me that nothing can beat farming. Living in the small, rural community and being a part of that is important to him. A member of the volunteer fire department, Jacob believes it is important to be involved in his community.

Jacob credits his upbringing on the family farm with building in him a strong work ethic.

The Sutter family exemplifies what it means to be “Doing it Right” on a family farm in Iowa. His was the second family farm we visited on the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers “Doing it Right” Farm Tour.

 AUDIO: Conversation with Jacob Sutter (4 min, mp3)

One of our visits during the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers “Doing It Right” Farm Tour was on a family farm near Pleasantville.Working together is key to success on the Sutter Family farm, whether working with crops or with livestock, according to Tyler Sutter, the oldest son of Kenny and Leanne, and one of the members of the Sutter family that is a partner in the family farm.As stewards, Tyler believes his family improves every year. He cites new technology as one of the important tools that helps his family achieve its stewardship goals. Technology prevents the over-useage of seed and chemicals which helps the environment and the Sutter’s balance sheet.

Animal welfare is important to the Sutters. Tyler doesn’t understand why people would think farmers would abuse their animals. He said his family has nothing to hide when it comes to practices on their farm.

The values he learned growing up on the farm and the love of rural Iowa and farming brought this young man back to the family farm after college. Tyler wants to make sure the farm is there for future generations.

AUDIO: Tyler Sutter

Sutter Family farm near Pleasantville, Iowa, is very much a family farm. Kenny and Leanne Sutter, their sons Tyler, and Jacob, along with Kenny’s parents Don and Margene, Kenny’s nephew, and a brother-in-law who works there sometimes have plenty of work to do on this farm. Kenny told me that many of his sons’ friends also come to work on the farm from time to time.The farm corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa hay, cattle, and hogs. Collectively, Kenny explained, they farm quite a few acres, but no more than 1100 acres per family entity that works on the farm. They do as much of their business locally as is possible.Being part of a community is very important to the Sutter family.

Practicing good stewardship is important for Kenny and his family. He believes it is important to listen to what people have to say and not be too quick to ignore new ideas. He believes they are doing the best they can with the technology available today.

Kenny believes the best way to practice animal welfare is to spend time with the animals, something that they do on the Sutter farm. The Sutters raised hogs outside before putting up barns, and Kenny believes that raising hogs in a barn means healthier hogs and better manure management.

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was great help to the Sutter Family Farm when they decided to expand their farm. Kenny said, “It is important to have someone in your corner today.”

CSIF helped the Sutter family select a site and to better communicate with neighbors when they put up a new barn.

Kenny believes mutual respect is key in expanding livestock farms in rural Iowa. He believes there is room for the next generation and sees many opportunities for young people in this industry.

Kenny would like for consumers to know that his family is working on the farm between 14 and 16 hours a day, working to the best of their ability with the best technology available. It is way better than it ever was before and it will only get better.

 AUDIO: Kenny Sutter

Amber Reed’s dad was an ag teacher in Albia. She grew up showing horses, hogs and cattle, developing a passion for agriculture that she shares with her husband.Appreciation for nature and livestock and the environment are qualities that Amber believes she and husband Bryan will instill in their children. As a special education teacher at the local high school, Amber has summers off so once her children are older, she’ll be able to get back “outside” to help with the cows. She looks forward to the days when her children will exhibit livestock at the county fairs.

The Reeds appreciate the support they get from their small-town community. They held an open house when they put up their new hoop barn and more than 200 people attended. Acceptance and support from neighbors is very important to the Reed family.

As a mother and wife, food safety and a safe environment is important to Amber, as she believes it is important to preserve the farm and its resources for the next generation.

Jaycee, who turns 5 later this month joined in the conversation to tell me what she likes about the farm. No surprise, like her mom and dad, she likes spending time with the livestock. Little brother Brayden likes the cows, too.

AUDIO: Conversation with Amber Reed