29
Dec
2017
This new year will begin a new chapter for two Beck’s employees as they embark on their retirements. These two men have helped Beck’s grow from 25 employees to 606 at last count. Tom Wallace, Fleet Associate, and Terry Shirk, Warehouse Manager, each just celebrated 24 years of service with Beck’s and will retire on December 31.
Categories: We Are Beck's
Tags: Beck's, Attitudes and Actions, Samantha Miller, We Are Beck's, Tom Wallace, Terry Shirk, Retirement
14
Halfway between Indianapolis and St. Louis, a small-but-mighty seed processing facility pops out of the prairie in the town of Neoga, Illinois. Beck’s Hybrids has been exclusively processing seed at Neoga since 2009, when Beck’s alliance with Brown Seed Enterprises was formed. Beck’s invested in an equipment overhaul and soon was producing high-quality, Escalate™-treated soybeans and wheat for the western part of our marketing region. Jim Herr, Beck’s processing manager, oversees all processing facilities and had this to say of Neoga, “The team at Neoga has fit into the Beck’s culture so easily over the past few years that it seems like they’ve been a part of Beck’s forever.”
Tags: Beck's Blog, IL, Beck's, Samantha Miller, We Are Beck's, Location Spotlight, Neoga, Beck's Neoga Facility
7
Nov
2016
Take a minute to think about your favorite college football team and their season so far. Would you consider them to be off to a good start? In college football, it is critical to begin the season strong and continue to perform all season long. Each and every game matters with the National Championship as your end goal. What we see every Saturday is just a small portion of all the work that goes into every game; the training, the countless hours spent watching film and running plays, all done in hopes of being prepared for the weekend ahead.
Categories: Beck's Research
Tags: Beck's, Beck's research, Seed Selection, Product Placement, product evaluation, yield limiting factors, planting 2017, Susan Powell
26
Jun
2015
We pulled in the gravel driveway just as the sun was starting to get warm. I hopped out of the truck excitedly and took a moment to enjoy the gorgeous flower beds around me. In the fields beyond the flowers, unfamiliar crops waved in the gentle breeze. The sound of Chelsea’s introductions snapped me out of my Monday morning day dreams.
Categories: Intern Avenue
Tags: Beck's Hybrids, Beck's, Inspiration, Natalina Sents, Innovation, What if, Why, entrepreneurship, AgEI, Iowa State, Ag Entrepreneurship Initiative
19
I was meandering through unfamiliar Indiana back roads when Jessica Andrews’ hit, Who I Am came blaring through my speakers. Between missing Iowa a tinge and being in a thoughtful mood, I couldn’t help but change the words to fit my story.
Tags: Beck's Hybrids, intern avenue, Beck's, Passion, Teamwork, Natalina Sents, Attitudes and Actions, Integrity, Innovation, Adaptability, Commitment, Who I Am, Fathers Day, Dad, Jessica Andrews, Internship
May
For as long as I can remember, I have been completely fascinated by stories. Growing up, I loved when Dad would read to us before bed. On long road trips, my younger brothers and I would beg to hear his “Ralph stories”, tales of an old farm dog who learned life lessons with his master, Farmer Jones.
Tags: farming, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, corn, soybeans, Beck's, Iowa farm family
17
2014
I struggled all day. Struggled to capture my thoughts. Struggled to find the right words. And the more I struggled, the more I started to doubt myself. With my frustration increasing, I slumped back in my chair, closed my eyes, and prayed for a little encouragement. If you’ve been following my journey on the Why I Farm Movement, then you’ll know it’s because of the Movement that I found my faith. While it helped me connect with Him, I’m still learning, searching and trying to figure things out. One thing I do know, you can talk to Him about anything – even writer’s block.
Categories: Why I Farm
Tags: farming, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, harvest, corn, farmers, soybeans, Beck's, Iowa farming, Iowa corn, Iowa farmers
3
Every day at 11:00 a.m. I anxiously wait for my email inbox to increase by one, for the ping of the email landing on home, and the notification to pop up on my screen. Because every day at 11:00 a.m. I receive my daily devotion. When I began truly finding my faith many months ago (you can read about it here), I added a daily devotion to my routine. And I’ll admit. I don’t get just one. I receive four a day. It might be a bit much for some, but to me, I’m still figuring things out.
Tags: Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, corn, soybeans, faith, Beck's, Bible
21
Since the Why I Farm Movement began in July 2013, we have received hundreds of stories from farmers, farm kids, and farm wives. In each story, these farm families are guided by their faith, committed to their family, and devoted to not only their community, but the world. This is the first of many posts where I’ll share farm stories from our fans. Today, the stories are from three women who are not just wives, but FARM WIVES.
Tags: Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, corn, farmers, farm, soybeans, farm family, Why I Farm movement, Farm Wives, Beck's, seed corn
5
Learning is a constant part of life. It keeps our minds energized and our hearts full. With a teacher for my mom and a farmer for my dad, learning at our house was endless. And still to this day, I don’t leave their house without gaining a new piece of knowledge. With National FFA Convention occurring last week, I couldn’t think of a better topic to discuss – education. Because to me, teaching and farming go hand in hand, especially if your day starts with the sound of a school bell.
Tags: farming, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, corn, farm, soybeans, FFA, Beck's, teacher, #GOFFA
Oct
The “gypsy life” is a lifestyle that I am beginning to understand very well. This week, I found myself making several trips between school, home, and the beautiful back roads of Indiana. While on the road, I was lucky enough to have a special copilot with me—my grandfather, Gary.
Tags: intern avenue, Beck's, Grandpa, Family, Road Trips, Moments and Memories
15
After three days of rain across the Midwest, patience might be wearing thin, especially since we're in the peak of harvest. And, if you're having yields like my dad in central Indiana, it's one of the best harvests he's ever had, and might ever see in his lifetime. But big yields means a slower harvest. Longer lines at the grain terminal. More days in the field. And more time relying on patience. Something that isn't easy for my family.
Tags: farming, farmer, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, harvest, corn, corn harvest, soybean, Beck's, soybean harvest
1
Sometimes you just can't seem to find the words. And today, is one of those days, which is why I love Wordless Wednesdays. Plus, I get to feature a photo I captured in the field a few days ago. For me, the lighting was perfect. But it wasn't until after I took the photos that I realized just how beautiful the soybeans looked. Magical even. Or maybe that's just me. Either way, it reminded me of something our Why I Farm farmer, Marty Marr, once said. And I couldn't agree with him more.
Tags: agriculture, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, soybeans, Marty Marr, Beck's
20
Aug
I became closer to God today. Why? Because of one Indiana farmer who was unconditionally honest. When I started blogging about the Why I Farm movement, I made a promise to you - I would share how this journey has affected me. But what I didn’t realize is just how much my perspective on life would transform.
Tags: farming, farmer, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, God, Beck's, Bible, Scripture, Jack Frost, Christian, Church, Philippians 4:13
11
With August soon to give-way to September, it is almost harvest time. God has blessed us this year with amazing yields and an abundant harvest is eminent. Before we set up camp in the combines we will have the opportunity to begin hunting season. In most states dove season starts on or around September 1st. On Labor Day evening 2013, I accompanied Beck’s President’s Club Member Luke Terstreip, Sr. to a freshly cut silage field. Luke had done some scouting and we put out a rotating-wing dove decoy and let the birds come to us. Now it is time to explain the title of this story. For the first time in my dove hunting career I saw and killed Eurasian Collared Dove.
Categories: Outdoors with Mike Roux
Tags: Beck's Blog, Beck's Hybrids, harvest, hunting, Beck's, foreign dove, dove hunting, Eurasian Collared Dove, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
6
A few weeks ago, my aspiring farm dog Pearl and I sat on the deck at my parent’s farm. After a busy week, we both needed a night at the farm to unwind. As I situated myself on the deck, Pearl quickly found her spot of rest in the cool, green grass. Just as the sun started to fall, the wildlife awoke. We listened to the bull frogs tell a love story, watched fish leap out of the water, and occasionally caught ourselves dreaming.
I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through her mind. Was she dreaming about the next dip in the pond? Catching tennis balls? Playing with the other farm dogs? Either way, on that Friday evening, watching the sun set and letting my mind dream was the best part of my day.
Tags: farming, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, Why I Farm movement, farm dog, Beck's, dog, farm life, dreaming
9
Jul
Basketball and farming. To some that combination is odd, but to others, they go hand in hand. But I’m not talking about March Madness or cheering on a favorite NBA team. I’m talking about the farmer-rigged basketball hoop attached to the side of a barn, situated on a concrete slab that’s surrounded by gravel.
Tags: Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, Why I Farm movement, Beck's, farm dads, basketball and farming
This past weekend, we celebrated our country’s freedom and the honorable people that help protect it. It was great to see so many community festivals and posts online honoring our freedoms and being thankful for what we have as a country. To me, celebrations (no matter what the occasion) should always contain three important things: the reason you’re celebrating, those you love around you, and great food. Continue reading to hear more about my 4th of July weekend and the good food from this week's blog, Glendia's Cooked Salad Dressing!
Categories: Family and Farming
Tags: Beck's Blog, agriculture, beck’s hybrids, Beck's Hybrids, farm family, Glendia Beck, cooking on the farm, Chelsea Nord, family and farming, Beck family, Beck's corn seed, Beck's Blog Recipes, Beck's Facebook, Beck's, Beck's Marketing Department, 4th of July, 4th of July Recipes, Chelsea O'Brien, Miracle Whip, Cooked Salad Dressing, Old Fashioned Cooked Salad Dressing, Potato Salad Dressing, Chicken Salad Dressing, Family gatherings, homemade cooking, home cooking
24
With the windows raised, I could hear every raindrop pelt the earth, every whisper from the wind, and every bird sing a love song. As I looked out the window, I could almost see the wind swirling around my house, charting its way through an obstacle course. Then, as if God just hit a strike at the bowling alley, a crack of thunder and lightning shook the walls.
Tags: farming, Why I Farm, #whyifarm, Beck's Hybrids, farmers, Why I Farm movement, Honoring Farmers, Beck's, American Farmers, Kevin Ruth
12
Paint Your Wagon. It’s a movie that stars Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. Have you seen it? Part western, part musical, part comedy. Lee Marvin plays a rugged, ornery, and greedy gold miner who “rescues” Clint Eastwood’s character from a wagon wreck. I’ll warn you, there’s lots of singing. But there's lots of humor. Did you know Clint can sing?
Tags: Why I Farm, corn, soybeans, Beck's, Father's Day, farmer father, Happy Father's Day, My Farmer Father, Jasmine N. Swantz