Grounded in Family
For Neil and Kerri Lange, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s a way of life woven into their identity. Raised within a mile of their current farm, Neil has spent a lifetime immersed in agriculture.
“Farming has always been my number one interest, my number one hobby,” he said.
Kerri’s roots run just as deep. “I grew up on a dairy farm, helped feed calves and milk cows,” she explained.
Together, the Langes have built a farm and life centered on shared passion, family values, and a love for the land.
A Shift in Focus
While Neil’s earliest farm tasks included opening gates for his father, the Langes’ path has evolved. For years, they ran a dairy operation alongside their grain farm. But about four years ago, they made a pivotal decision — stepping away from dairy to devote their energy entirely to grain farming.
“We were spending too much labor on the dairy and not focusing on the grain farm like we should,” Neil explained. “Now we’ve gone full effort into the grain farm, and life has turned out better. You get a little more family life and everything.”
That shift has given their family not just more time together, but a deeper connection to farming and each other.
“It’s one of the greatest lives,” Neil said. “Being able to have your kids work with you every day, I always feel I’m blessed.”
A Place to Grow
Kerri sees the farm as more than a workplace, it’s a space where her children can grow up grounded in values and wonder.
“The kids have adventures all the time,” she said. “They learn hard work, they have great imaginations. They’re all over the farm making projects and learning how to work together.”
Of course, farming brings challenges, especially those beyond human control. “You put weather at the top of the list,” Neil said. “You invest a great deal of money in putting a crop out, and it’s all weather-determined.”
Programs like crop insurance help manage the risk, offering peace of mind when conditions are unpredictable.
Support that Feels Like Family
That same spirit of reliability and trust is what the Langes found in their relationship with Farm Credit Illinois and loan officer Ron Lintker.
“The first time I met Ron, he just stopped by the farm to introduce himself,” Neil recalled. “When someone wants to loan you money, you remember their name.”
Their strong relationship with Farm Credit opened the door to another unexpected honor: a nomination for the Director’s Cup, which recognizes outstanding young and beginning customer-owners.
“I’d read about it, but never really thought we’d be part of it,” Kerri said. “Ron reached out and told us he thought we’d be good candidates.”
For the Langes, farming remains firmly rooted in what matters most.
“Family is very important to us,” Neil said. “And I hope in the future we keep building that relationship with Farm Credit. Because farming is getting more expensive, and you’ve got to have a good banker along for the ride.”
