SIP Spotlight: Ryan and Janice Marquardt

Attention beginning farmers: There’s just one week left to apply for PFI’s Savings Incentive Program (SIP). Applications are due October 14th. Apply now!

Ryan and Janice Marquardt

Can SIP help you? 2010 Savings Incentive Program recipients Ryan and Janice Marquardt are getting a head start with a savings match, business planning advice, and a knowledgeable mentor.

The Marquardts raise broilers, turkeys, a laying flock, hair sheep ewes, and cattle between Newton and Pella. Since purchasing land for their farm, Wild Rose Pastures, in winter 2007, Ryan and Janice have begun adding and improving structures to accommodate their growing operation. Ryan plans to make improvements using his savings match that will allow Wild Rose Pastures to increase its growing capacity.

“We want to participate in the program to build a dedicated poultry building and purchase egg-washing equipment to handle larger volumes of eggs, and increase egg storage.”

Last March, Ryan co-hosted a PFI Farminar on maintaining fairness, transparency, and accountability when brokering products for other farmers. You can view it online here: Brokering Tips.