Field Work

Part 2 in a 3-part series

As a member of a farm family, Braelyn Bergman understands the basics of agriculture, the hard work and long hours it takes for seeds to sprout into a sustainable product.

This summer, through a supervised agricultural experience for FFA, Bergman has developed a new appreciation for work farmers provide.

Summerland FFA Advisor Jacob Goldfuss said Bergman's project involved renting four acres of land from her dad, Ryan, and planting and raising a corn crop.

Originally, Bergman thought about using her small herd of cattle for her SAE.

"I felt like a lot of FFA kids were already doing that. My dad mentioned renting some ground and I thought that would be cool to learn more about what he does and how my family makes a living," she said.

By the time she made the decision to grow crops, Ryan already had purchased seed corn.

"I was able to help plant my little plot though."

She calls the experience scary, "but super exciting." Bergman has driven a grain cart. Running the planter was a new experience, especially with the number of buttons in the tractor and knowing when each needed to be engaged.

"It was overwhelming, but I felt empowered to add another skill as a young woman in ag," she said.

Bergman's small plot sits "smack dab in the middle" of 132 acres farmed by Ryan. She credits him for teaching her the ins and outs about irrigation and fertilizer.

"I was able to go with him to check fields, start the pivot and check the dripper."

Ryan also taught her how to track amounts of fertilizer applied.

Goldfuss said record keeping is an important component of a SAE. Bergman admits it's a skill she needs to develop.

"I wasn't really sure what I was doing or getting myself into."

She maintained a note file in her phone. She also photographed plants weekly to see growth, how the plants absorbed fertilizer and if they needed more water or were getting too much.

Bergman realized she will need to document differently so she can make year-to-year comparisons.

Another skill she focused on was learning about the commodity pricing. The first step: download the AgMobile app to check daily grain prices.

"I still have so much to learn about the markets and how they work," she said. "I know every farmer already is, but please pray for those grain prices to come up."

As harvest approaches, she will make time to assist with her four acres. Her parents will pick around her plot until she arrives home after a full day of classes and sports practices.

Then, she'll maneuver the combine and pick her crop. She is excited to cross off combine operator on her ag bucket list.

The end goal for Bergman's project is simple and maybe even intimidating. She wants to be able to pay the bills associated with the project and have seed money for next year's project.

Depending on harvest, she hopes she "will be brave enough to ask for maybe six acres and continue to work up."

"I'm ready worried about how I will make the payment back to my parents for seed, fertilizer and rent once my crop is harvested," she said.

While Bergman noted she developed new skills, especially relating to the mechanical aspect of farming, the SAE offered a new perspective of what her parents, as well as operators of the other 44,479 farms in Nebraska, do each and every day.

"It opened my eyes to the ups and downs farmers go through," she said.