Rent Letter 2022

Inflation, Inflation, Inflation. War in the Ukraine, China threatening Taiwan, Energy shortages worldwide, out of control spending by Our Government, recovering from COVID lockdowns…and the list goes on. This is a different world we live in today and by the Grace of God we are still doing well. The inputs for the 2022 crop year rose very fast starting before 2021 harvest. I made aggressive moves to lock in and pay for everything I could. It was a lot higher than 2021 crop but if I would have waited it would have been much worse. Fast forward one year and we are seeing even more price increases and although commodity prices are higher, inputs are rising faster causing profit margin to be further reduced.

I have to pray God has his hand on our business and to give me the wisdom to make the correct decisions. This year we had a great planting window and crops came up very well. Then we had 6 weeks without rain followed by 7.5 inches of rain in 1 ½ days. Although we had some ponding and lost crop in low areas it was so worth getting the rest of the crop going again. In the end, God has given us another good crop.

We have made it our mission statement to “make the most of every acre.” We have identified some biologicals that convert more nutrients for the plants when they need it. We became part of a dealership called Duck Creek Ag Supply two years ago to source and sell chemicals, seed, and biologicals. This is aligning us to continue to be a leader in reaching top yields while minimizing input cost. I attended several training meetings over the past year to stay on top of what is coming down the line because our industry is changing fast. We will continue to invest in technology to keep improving our system.

I have had trouble finding good employee’s and thank God for Josh Stanley who works with me. He has been with us for 3 years becoming my right-hand man around here and we are blessed to have him be part of our family. Always looking for good people. If you know anyone who wants to farm let me know.

Dallas Family Note:

· Dad and Karen: Dad still comes out and helps. Karen is still working for her brokerage firm.

· Mom helps me keep up with my office work and takes care of my 98-year-old Grandmother who lives with her. She is a huge help watching our littles and spoils them rotten.

· Cassie, my beautiful wife, is still the most amazing mother and helpmate. She homeschools, cares for our kids, has a large garden and cans, has 30 head of cattle, brings meals out during the busy seasons, takes care of me and much more. She is truly the glue that holds this family together.

· Alaina is an amazing nurse, living in Indy, working at Methodist Hospital downtown. She enjoys what she does. Alaina will be going to Zimbabwe Africa to learn herbal medicine for six months after the first of the year. (Please pray for her safety)

· Austin has graduated from Purdue. He has taken a job with Corporate Deere and Co. He started in Moline, IL and is now down at the training center in Orlando FL. He is learning a lot about Corporate America and is excited to get back home someday.

· Ashton is Sophomore at Johnson University, just south of Knoxville Tennessee. He has decided to focus on his business degree and is working to transfer to Purdue. He has decided to pursue his Ag roots and will be working for Meristem Ag this next summer.

· Amelia is a Junior in High School this year. She plays volleyball and is still homeschooled / taking dual credit classes at University. She has her license now and is always on the move.

· Abram is 6 years old now. He is a first grader and is homeschooled. He has decided that he wants to be an inventor when he grows up. He is continently bringing me things he has created or drawings of what he is going to create. He is so inquisitive about everything.

· Alilah is 4 years old. She is becoming a great helper and is always happy. She is very smart and is already being homeschooled with a desire to learn. She is taking Violin lessons and any chance she gets she comes out to work with me, she does.

· Dallas –Still love my faith, family, and farm life. I am truly living my dream. This time last year I was still recovering from being in the Hospital with Covid. I am fully recovered and enjoyed harvest way more than last year. I am so excited about our future, possibilities are endless.

I have told all of my kids that they have to work off farm for three years to get life experience. Austin has two more years and says he is definitely coming back becoming even more important for us to pick up some more ground to farm. If you know anyone in the area that might want to talk with me about farming their ground, please let me know or pass along my cell number.

Thank you for choosing us to farm your ground. Please feel free to give me a call anytime with questions or concerns.

PS: If any of your information has changed from last year on Tax ID, address, phone numbers, Etc. please send me updated information. Thanks Again!

God Bless,

Dallas, Cassie, and Family

Family