Season 2, Episode 6
Rebuilding a Family Farm: A Story of Relilience
Getting started in farming is hard. Getting back into it after the family sold the land decades ago is a different kind of challenge.
In this episode, Max is joined by Iowa farmers Brian and Cole Wiebensohn and their Renk Seed dealer Duane Groth. Together, they talk about starting over and how they’ve transformed their operation in just three years.
Family Roots and Returning Home
Cole shares how the family farm, rooted in Tama County since 1897, slipped away for a generation after his grandfather’s passing, but the dream of returning never faded. During years of working in road construction, Cole’s father, Brian, quietly gathered equipment, hoping to one day farm alongside his son. Their perseverance paid off: today, Cole is the eighth generation to work their land.
Their perseverance paid off: today, Cole is the eighth generation to work their land.
Overcoming Obstacles
The transition back wasn’t easy. The family started small with 80 acres, old equipment, and a business-minded approach, focusing on efficiency and technology upgrades. Brian continued working off-farm while Cole managed daily operations, both determined to grow the operation while honoring their heritage.
The importance of relationships—with neighbors, landlords, dealers, and bankers—runs through every part of their journey.
Community and Partnerships
Duane Groth, a longtime neighbor and Renk Seed dealer, recalls how he became involved, offering advice and support as the family rebuilt. The importance of relationships—with neighbors, landlords, dealers, and bankers—runs through every part of their journey.
Innovation and Stewardship
Cole describes how careful management, cost-saving strategies, and sustainable practices like minimum till, grass waterways, and creek bank stabilization have driven their progress. They’ve invested in smarter equipment and made conservation a priority, always mindful of preserving the land for future generations.
A Legacy of Hope
Through candid conversation, the episode reveals what truly matters: the pride in seeing the family name return to the land, the satisfaction of a good harvest, and the responsibility to steward the farm for those yet to come. The Wiebensohn story is one of stewardship and resilience as they rebuild the soil for the next generation.
Thank you to Cole and Brian Wiebensohn for sharing their story. And, to Duane Groth for bringing their story of hope to us. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeart, or the Renk Seed website, for this inspiring story of coming home, building for the future, and the enduring power of legacy on the American farm.