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Farming insider: Ryberg Farm, USA

About the Ryberg family

The Ryberg farm was established in 1969 and has been in the family ever since. The crops cultivated on the farm are corn, soybeans, and sugar beet. In 1997 Brian took over the farm from his father, and he plans to soon hand it over to his nephew Chris. Thus, in the future too, the Ryberg farm will remain a family affair.

Farm facts

Ryberg family farm

Location: River Farm in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, USA

Crops cultivated: corn, soybeans, and sugar beet

I think the feeling of being part of something greater has always been important to me.
Brian Ryberg, USA

Question time

Brian, you took over the farm from your father in 1986. Did you always want to be a farmer?

Yes, I have always wanted to farm. I grew up on the farm and later went to college for a few years, then I came back. My father gave me the opportunity to take over the farm. It was by no means a free ride, but rather an opportunity.
When my parents retired in 1997, I paid them off.

Was the transition easy for you all?

Farmer Brian Ryberg is optimistic about the future of his farm.

Farmer Brian Ryberg is optimistic about the future of his farm.

Brian: When I took over the farm, I was worried that my father would be watching me or criticizing. I remember we were faced with a major decision and when I asked him for advice he said, “You’re the farmer now, you have to make the right decision yourself.” So he was immediately able to let go.
Howard: We bought the farm in 1969. My goal was to pass the farm on to the next generation, and Brian was interested in it. So that’s exactly what we did. It was never a problem for me.

Brian (left) and his nephew Chris, who will continue to run the farm.

Brian (left) and his nephew Chris, who will continue to run the farm.

Chris, you are Brian’s nephew and work on the farm.

Chris: I grew up here in the area, graduated high school, and then I went away. But I later came back and have been working on the farm full-time for 12 years now.
Brian: His coming back was a real blessing, because he belongs to the generation, or rather he has the mindset, to understand current technologies. Farms in general are getting bigger and bigger and we need to involve young people. If Chris is my transition into retirement, then so be it. My greatest hope for my farm is that it endures.
Chris: Howard really helped Brian back then, and Brian is doing the same for me now. He knows what it takes and wants me to be successful, too.

What do you like best about the life of a farmer?

Brian: It’s always a good feeling to know that what you’re doing helps feed the world. I think the feeling of being part of something greater has always been important to me.

On the road worldwide. Always closeby.

All farmers have their own character - which is reflected in their way of life, philosophy and the form of farming and livestock breeding. We visited our farmers around the world and wanted to know what makes them successful, what they stand for and what challenges they have to face. A journey across five continents.

More insights about our farmers

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Cole Vis, USA

“My wish for the future of the family farm is that it will still be run well in the fifth, sixth, and seventh generation.”

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Arco Van Triest, Netherlands

“This farm has been running since 1900, and now my children are here.“

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Adem Biçici, Turkey

“When I go out into the fields with my grandson, I see myself reflected in his curiosity.“

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Šandor Sabo junior, Croatia

“Whatever problems we are facing, we solve them together. For me, family is all about cohesion.“

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Atila Sabo, Croatia

“Every morning, my brother and I agree what we want to do during the day, what our duties are. So we share the work and have passed on this structure to our children in the same way.“

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Carla, Fábio and José Rossato, Brazil

“I never had any doubts; I never wanted to be anything but a farmer.”

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Dimitar Vukudinov, Bulgaria

”Working with your own father means that you always have a wiser man with you to support you and look up to.”

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Rodolfo Cura, Argentina

“The farm is everything to me. Working in agriculture is the greatest way to do what I love. For me, the farm means freedom.”

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Heidi Verschelde, Belgium

"I think the next generation is showing a keen sense for the importance of nature."

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Ievhenii Bondarchuk, Ukraine

"If you want to be a farmer, you can’t learn that in an institute. It’s something you have to be born with."

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Luigi Torri, Italy

“I hope my sons will pass on the love and respect for the earth and all the values I taught them.”

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Paweł Strzemiecki, Poland

“This love of farming, of the farming tradition, goes back generations in our family.”

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Emma F., UK

“It would be great if one day the sixth or seventh generation of our family runs the farm.“

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Peter Carlisle, UK

“Teamwork is the most important thing on our farm. Everyone does a little bit of everything. If we weren't a team, our business wouldn't be as successful as it is today.“

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Henning & Arne Beecken, Germany

“The feeling of wanting to continue the work on the farm has grown day by day since childhood.“

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Brian Ryberg, USA

“I think the feeling of being part of something greater has always been important to me.“

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Emanuele Bortoli, Italy

“Reliability and respect form the foundation for how we deal with one another. These are values I`ve always held in high esteem.“

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Francis Bapst, Switzerland

“For me, the most important values are respect for nature, understanding our consumers and food production.”

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Toni & Daniel Peterhans, Switzerland

”Spirit and passion are what leads to success, whether it's in farming or on the football pitch.”

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Riccardo Casarotto, Italy

”Independence is a dream that we should all cultivate and pursue. Dreams are there to come true and to help you progress.”

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Stephan Jansen, Belgium

”I look forward to waking up every day and being able to work with nature.”

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Gizem Anar, Turkey

”People should love what they do, and I love farming. I enjoy looking after animals, plants and nature and try to feel connected to them!.”

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Adrian Knuchel, Switzerland

”For me, team spirit means being able to live and work together. It means ongoing exchange, taking each other, mutual ideas and suggestions seriously.”

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Gürkan Ilhan, Turkey

”People who work in agriculture, cultivating crops, rearing livestock and working on the land, accumulate positive memories day after day.”

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René Vermue, Netherlands

”Team spirit and reliability are hugely important in both my personal life and my working life – be it with colleagues, employees, or in dealings with other farmers.”

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Henrick Dieckmann, Germany

”For me, it´s important to be sustainable and healthy in what we produce.”