Special Force

Dad was in the Marines. He was lucky to enlist during the peaceful window between Korea and Vietnam. Despite the lull in conflict at that moment, training for new recruits conveyed the grim reality of future warfare.  

He used to say the Marines were sent in first to soften up the enemy under the most adverse conditions. Who could argue as they suffered the highest casualty rate of all branches of the military.

At Pinicon Farm, the Rock Crew serves in a similar capacity. 

Rock removal is the first wave of spring field operations. This Team encounters the most resistance, the harshest working conditions, and most frequent breakdowns as they harvest rocks by the truckload, excavate newly exposed boulders weighing up to a ton, report tile issues and other needed land repairs and clear the farms of obstacles disruptive to subsequent tillage and planting operations.         

Led this year by Jim Kruse, they are on pace for one of our most successful stone eradication campaigns.

Jim is joined by Ray Funga and Joe Mentel, both new to Pinicon but quick to embrace our culture.   

Alex previously led the Rock crew but was promoted to Tillage Team in 2020. Jim had worked with Alex for two years and had demonstrated the seasoned judgement that one who grows up on a diversified farm in North Iowa in the mid-20th century would naturally possess.  Jim and I have more in common than our first name.

Keeping two skid loaders healthy at all times was our first priority.

Rigorous daily maintenance coupled with a spare skid loader that could be dispatched at a moment’s notice kept machine down interruptions to a minimum.

This crew was also the most reliable in recent memory.

Running a skid loader on rough terrain thirteen hours a day takes a toll on the body, yet, all three came to work every day, on time, working seven days a week until planting was done. 

The ability of this Team to do a high volume of quality work will enhance every pass we make across our farms this season. 

From his perch on the planter, Bert mentioned several times how our fields have never been as free of rock.   

Rock removal may not seem as glamorous as pulling a 36 row planter or piloting a 120' sprayer, but maintaining a manageable absence of rock in our fields is essential to achieve the high output modern machinery can deliver.

For this reason, the 2020 Rock Crew deserves special recognition for their service.

Jim