When the Kelly’s Mill Road couple aren’t tilling, or working another part of their 400 acres of grain, they seem to make quite a community impression.

Wednesday, October 06, 1999

When the Kelly’s Mill Road couple aren’t tilling, or working another part of their 400 acres of grain, they seem to make quite a community impression.

The Lawrence County Farm Bureau recently named the Klines as Outstanding Young Farm Couple at the bureau’s annual meeting in South Point.

The couple rent acreages on Ohio 522, Ohio 650, near Lawco Lake and in Wheelersburg, working mostly in corn, soybeans and straw, while selling DeKalb Seed and keeping almost two dozen beef cattle to diversify the operation.

"I’m a fifth generation farmer," said Kline, 22. "I’ve worked pretty hard at it. But I can’t complain."

Kline worked alongside his family as a boy, learned the love of a tractor and decided to live off the land himself four years ago.

"The last three years, it flooded my fields," he said. "But this year I’ve got decent crops I got more rain that most people did."

Mrs. Kline, 20, also grew up around the fields, but her father was not a full-time farmer.

Now, though, when helping bale straw, bringing in the harvest or going over financial data on the computer, she said she realizes the lure of family farms.

The couple work for themselves and for Kline’s family, which makes them unique, they said.

"I don’t know any other young farmers ones that are doing it full-time," Kline said.

Farm life can range from difficult to more difficult each year, as crops are bought and planted, but revenues come months later at harvest time.

"There is money in farming, it just takes time to get it," Kline said.

And this year, the Klines doubled their acreage – from 190 to 400 acres. That adds a little more work, excitement and worry, he said.

The Klines said they enjoyed receiving the Lawrence County Farm Bureau award and hope to live up to its name, but added they could never have earned it without support from all generations of their families.

The bureau names the Outstanding Young Farm Couple to recognize successful farmers, 35 years old or younger, for achievement in the business of farming and leadership in the agricultural community.

Judging was based on progress made since the couple started farming, management ability, role in the farm operation and Farm Bureau and community involvement.

The Klines received a weekend getaway certificate for the Adam’s Mark or Doubletree Hotel in Columbus, and are eligible to enter the statewide Farm Bureau contest.