Emely Hendl contributed to this story.
Even though Abbie Kauffman and her husband, Bob Deaver, don’t have a farm at the moment, they have a dream to one day buy land and establish their own operation.
And they’re not wasting any time preparing for that day.
Bob comes from an agricultural background and knows plenty from growing up on a farm; Abbie is a beginning farmer with little experience.
“We have six backyard chickens at the moment and hope to grow into a farm in the future,” she said. “The moment we are able to purchase land in the surrounding area, we will.”
Both Nebraska natives, Abbie and Bob have lived in Plattsmouth for a year and a half. Bob is completing his medical degree through the U.S. Air Force, and they need to live close to Offutt Air Force Base, where he is stationed.
To learn more about farming, Abbie decided to attend “A Year in the Life,” a workshop hosted for the past three years by the Center for Rural Affairs for active military service members and military veterans. The workshops highlight different aspects of agriculture including horticulture, pork production, and poultry and egg production.
Since Bob is an active service member, Abbie was able to attend last year’s sessions, and he has joined her for this year's sessions focused on pork.
“After last year's class, I have grown more invested in someday having our own farm,” Abbie said. “I’ve learned so many things from these classes, and I know it’ll help us in the future.”
Before, she said, she knew nothing about pig farming, and she found the information eye-opening and helpful. She also learned the importance of marketing and business planning, and gained insights through some of the activities participants took part in during the classes.
“I loved learning how to set holistic goals that are sustainable for business planning,” she said. “Completing each of those exercises and the ones for our dream farm have been really beneficial, and it’s fun to see my own transformation in what I hope our future farm to be.”
This year, Abbie has learned more about raising poultry, which has been useful as they raise their first flock.
“I want to grow that side of a future business and keep pushing forward with that plan,” she said. “Taking my husband to this year's classes has been huge, so that we can plan and dream together.”
For more information about the Center’s events, including “A Year in the Life of a Poultry Producer,” visit cfra.org/events.
Programming is funded through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NIFA USDA fund Award #2020-77028-32890.
