Following His Farming Dreams 

When Devin Leas moved to college to pursue his engineering degree and play football, he carved out time each fall to return home and ride in the combine.  

After graduating, he began a career in electrical engineering and eventually moved to Florida for a job opportunity. Still, he found himself missing his family, his friends and farming in rural Indiana.  

Two and a half years after leaving home, Devin decided to move back and follow his dream of starting his own farm. He began with 13 acres, rented from his grandfather, and quickly fell in love with the business of farming. Even the challenges, from crunching numbers to forecasting weather, were reminders he was on the right path. He knew his next step was to expand the operation. 

The Right Partner 

“Getting started in agriculture can be difficult,” said Devin. “Having some kind of support is crucial.” 

That support came in the form of a loan from Farm Credit Mid-America, which enabled him to purchase additional land. As an engineer, he also valued having a partner who could bring the analytical thinking and well-rounded expertise he was looking for. 

“Farm Credit Mid-America gave me my first opportunity to expand my farm beyond the 13 acres I started with, and they’ve been in my corner ever since,” Devin said. “Their experienced team members provide the guidance I need to make informed decisions, which is important for a beginning farmer.” 

This article was originally published by Farm Credit Mid-America