Kristopher Klokkenga is the fourth generation to run his family's 1,500-acre centennial farm near Emden, Illinois, midway between Peoria and Springfield. Eighty-five percent of his production is organic, including food-grade yellow and white corn, popcorn, alfalfa, and non-GMO soybeans, as well as conventional corn and soybeans.
His travels led him to Ghana. While farming he met and married his wife, Christina, from Denmark. The opportunity to take over his family farm led them back to the U.S., where they now raise their four children.
SF: How did you end up on a winding path that led from your family farm in Illinois to Ghana, Denmark, and back?
KK: I've always had the interest to travel abroad. In high school my parents really encouraged me to travel and expand my worldview. I had opportunities to travel to Australia and Europe in high school, and in college I worked in Brussels, Belgium.
Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av Successful Farming.
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Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av Successful Farming.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
KRISTOPHER KLOKKENGA
The Illinois native farmed in Ghana and lived in Denmark before coming home to take over his family's operation.
DON'T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN WHEN USING A SKID STEER
These mini workhorses are fun to operate and make chores go quickly. But injuries can occur if safety isn’t top of mind.
MEET NCBA PRESIDENT MARK EISELE
This Wyoming rancher brings a lifetime of cattle experience.
TOP SHOPS
THREE DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO TURN A SHOP INTO YOUR FARM'S HEADQUARTERS.
GRAZING MANAGEMENT TRANSFORMS GRASSLANDS
Developing the land's natural resources benefits the ranch operator and the wildlife.
KNOW YOUR NOZZLE
Small factors can help optimize herbicide applications.
MOUNTAINS OF MACHINERY
COMMODITY PRICES ARE LOW AND INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH. BUT AN OVERSUPPLY OF USED EQUIPMENT OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES.
DAIRY BARN FLOORING
It starts at the ground level.
SHOP HACKS
Great storage improvisations using PVC pipe.
HOW TO KILL A FARM
Problem: Out-of-state, non-farming heirs want their farming brother to do all the work but share decisions and profit.
