Jerry Prows says fanning is not as much fun as when he first started. "When I first started, there was not as much pressure. Profit margins are now down to the penny. You can't make a mistake because it's hard to make it up." However, Prows, who farms land of his own and in partnership with his brother, Steven, is doing better than most farmers in not making mistakes with his burley and beef enterprises. That was recognized last month when he took second place in the Kentucky Young Farmers Association (KYFA) 2001 Member of the Year contest. Prows says getting started in farming would not have been possible for him if his father, James (Jim), had not already been in farming. After high school graduation in 1982, Jerry rented a farm and grew 2 acresof tobacco and had a few beef cows. Over the next few years, he increased his burley crop as well as farm acreage by renting 225 acres with his father. Prows leased a dairy farm with 93 cows and 25 dairy heifers after he and his wife, Debbie, married in1989. He gave up the dairy business after two years when they bought their first farm. "Being able to use our father's equipment was very necessary for both Steven and me in getting started," he says. They still share equipment and work together and with their father in keeping the family operation efficient. "We have bought new silage choppers and Silage wagons," Prows says. "Steven and I are in partnership in custom chopping 4,500 to 5.000 tons of silage for other farmers every year. The custom workis one of the most profitable things we do."
展开▼
