Efficient
Efficient use of crop inputs is not only economically smart but a sustainable approach. Utilizing technology, every acre gets a thorough analysis of what to plant and how many nutrients those crops need.
Productive
Harvey Firestone said “Success is the sum of details”. In farming, there are lots of details, and then there’s Mother Nature. We dive deep into the details we can control to maximize output.
Sustainable
After six generations of family farming, we understand our obligation to ensure that the resources we care for are productive for generations to come.
Our Story
In years past, the Weiland family raised potatoes, peanuts, pigs, cattle and chickens as cash crops. Today, the focus is on corn, soybeans and soybeans for seed.
Don Weiland followed the family farming tradition by renting his first farm ground at the age of sixteen. Farming was a natural choice for Don. He always had the desire to be a successful farmer and realized early on that in order to do that, he needed to continually improve the farm – through higher yields and smarter operations resulting in better profitability.
Now, he watches his son, Reid, continue the farm’s transition from a small family operation to a thriving family business. With a degree from Iowa State University in Agriculture Business, Reid first helped implement changes in the farm’s accounting and record-keeping systems. He also spent several years in Brazil working with American investors and Brazilian farmers to raise peanuts, soybeans, rice and cattle. In 2009, Reid moved back to Iowa to lead the management of his family’s farm.
Today the farm has made a strategic choice to move up the value chain. How can we add additional value to the people, infrastructure and farmland in our portfolio? We believe this includes producing niche crops and developing new approaches to old challenges. We seek to grow something distinctive to our farm with our unique recipe.
“I watched my Grandpa till these fields, and always hoped that I, and future generations, would have the privilege to continue to take care of this land.”
- Don Weiland
The People
Don and Judi Weiland
Don helps lead overall strategy and direction for Weiland Farms. He leads equipment acquisition and serves in an advisory role when farm decisions are made. On any given day, Don can be found in the yard with his sleeves rolled up providing his advice in a given situation.
Reid and Carla Weiland
Reid serves as Managing Partner in the family farming business. He leads all land management and acquisition efforts as well as landowner relations. Reid also focuses on human resources, marketing and strategic development.
Lea and Brian Leopold
Lea is Don and Judi’s daughter and Reid’s sister. She and her husband, Brian, serve on the Board of Directors at Weiland Farms.
Erik Ostlind
Erik is the Operations Manager at Weiland Farms, which is where the “rubber meets the soil”. Erik is enthusiastic about the application of farm technology. In the busy season, Erik “quarterbacks” people, equipment and product.
Bret Swanson
Bret serves as an Operations Lead and the Maintenance Manager. A former tractor mechanic, Bret operates the planter, sprayer and combine during the busy seasons and leads maintenance on that equipment in between times.
Kathy Leuwerke
Kathy, a farmer herself, is a former Senior Specialist of Credit Controls at Winnebago Industries. Today Kathy is responsible for administration and accounting at Weiland Farms.
