Meet an Iowa Farmer: Ryan Gallagher

The Iowa Corn Growers Association is proud to serve our more than 8,000 farmer members across the state. These members are the backbone of our organization and each month we are honored to introduce you to a new ICGA member through our "Meet an Iowa Farmer" series. This month we are proud to feature Ryan Gallagher, a farmer and ICGA member from Washington County.

Tell about you, your family, and your background and farm operation.
I grew up on a century farm in Washington, IA and now have become the 5th generation to raise corn and soybeans on our family farm.  I work every day with my father and uncle on the farm, which is great because it keeps our family close together and makes us proud of our heritage.  My wife Jessica and I got married about two years ago.   We are both looking forward to raising a family on the farm-with hopefully many more generations to continue farming in the future. 

Why did you decide to be a farmer?
I grew up working on the farm and always loved the work!  In farming you will run into a lot of new obstacles and challenges every year.  I have always been the type of person who enjoys taking on those new challenges.  Having a farm in the family for over 100 years has made me feel proud of my heritage and inspired me to continue on the same path.  I went to college in Arizona and worked in Minneapolis for a while, but I always missed my life on the farm.  Living in Iowa, working on the farm with my family and raising kids on the farm is the American dream for me. 

What else do you dedicate time to outside of farming?
Family and friends, traveling, bicycling, golf, boating and Hawkeye sports.

Any farming advice or life lessons you'd share with new farmers?
When it comes to farming what works strategy wise one year might not work at all the following year or any year after that. It is important to evaluate every year differently than the last and be ready and willing to adapt as needed, without over committing yourself one direction or the other.