While attending high school in Cedar Rapids, Nebraska, I worked weekends and summers at a farrow-to-finish hog farm. The experience taught me the value of hard work and gave me an appreciation for animal husbandry. I liked it so much that I even told my parents I wanted to be a hog farmer after high school—but they encouraged me to go to college. I listened, but I also retained a passion for agriculture.
    
After graduating from Wayne State College and working in industry for several years, I bought a small acreage near North Bend and started Hideaway Farm. My wife and I are now raising our two children on the farm, and I hope they will grow up to appreciate how special a place it is.

Underlying my passion for agriculture is a deep commitment to land conservation for wildlife and water conservation for human health. I’ve been dedicated to using and promoting practices that work with nature to protect our shared natural resources while producing high-quality food. I am thrilled to be working for the Center as a policy associate, and I look forward to helping others achieve their agriculture and conservation goals.

Before joining as a policy associate, I served on the Center's Advisory Committee. I currently serve on the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District Board of Directors.