“I’d rather be proactive than reactive, I mean, and then there’s no growth in the comfort zone.  There’s no comfort zone in the growth zone, so I always want to take a step forward, whether it’s a small step or not, but that’s just where we’ve taken our farm, said Caleb Englert, sweet potato farmer. “I mean we’re not trying to build a huge thing overnight.  It takes times and baby steps are a way to get there.”

Just like this harvester as it slowly digs this year’s sweet potato crop, Caleb and Katelynn Englert take steps to grow their operation, their family, and leadership efforts in agriculture. Taking on the Young Farmers and Ranchers contest for the Englerts is just another step in the right direction.

“They don’t give out many trophies to farmers.  So, this is one of them to kind of shoot for,” said Englert.  “You know, we shot for it and we succeeded, which I mean I’m very humbled and blessed that we were able to do that, to achieve that accomplishment.”

“We definitely try to be a voice here locally, and then with just being able to (through Farm Bureau) show others that there are still young farmers out there and there needs to continue still being young farmers,” said Katelynn Englert.  “So, we want to advocate that and help show younger generations that it’s still being done.”

Both Caleb and Katelynn wear several hats representing agriculture. Katelynn works for the local Farm Service Agency while also helping where she can on the farm. In addition to their potatoes, Caleb leads the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council as president.

“It most definitely is a team effort.  As far as Caleb being on the field, he’s out there sun up to sundown,” said Katelynn Englert. “We’ll bring 9son) Jay out there and let him ride the tractor.  I try to get on the forklift not very often, but I’m doing more things.  I work at the USDA Farm Service Agency, so I’m around farming.  I know what he puts in and all the other farmers around, what it takes to grow these crops.”

Despite their busy lifestyle, Caleb sees it as investing today in order to move agriculture forward for the next generation, his son’s generation.

“My belief system is, you know, us young folks need to step up.  You know, the older folks aren’t going to be here forever and why not go on and start now.,” said Caleb Englert. “That way, they’re here to coach you along and walk you through things you may have questions on, because we don’t have all the answers.”

The Englerts say they are so proud to represent Mississippi on the national level because Farm Bureau has helped them in so many ways as they look for more ways to give back.

“We’ve made a lot of connections over the years and so Farm Bureau has definitely put us in touch with a lot of people and we’ve made lifetime friendships with Farm Bureau,” said Katelynn Englert.

“I feel very honored to go up there and represent them as much as they’ve done for me and the sweet potato industry as a whole, especially in these last few years with labor issues and everything,” said Caleb Englert. “This is something that everybody needs to be on top of.  We feel, me and my family both, we feel really honored to be up there to represent Farm Bureau.”