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Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee members Nick and Bailey Elchinger were both raised in agriculture and now are raising their two young daughters, Parker Jo and Chloe, the same. On their Henry County farm, they produce corn, soybeans and wheat along with baling both hay and straw commercially. Bailey also works off the farm for StoneX in Bowling Green, helping farmers, grain elevators and livestock producers mitigate the risks they face regarding commodity prices.

Nick was born and raised in northwest Ohio on a small family farm where he learned to love farming alongside his grandfather, father and brother. Bailey was born and raised on a small family hog farm in southern Michigan. She began her Ohio Farm Bureau journey right after college and got involved with the Henry County Farm Bureau board of trustees. In addition to her many volunteer activities, she also was the state Discussion Meet winner in 2013.

What is something you are involved in right now?

Nick and Bailey serve on their local Henry County Ag Improvement Association. That group’s current capital campaign project is to raise funds to construct a new community event center on the fairgrounds. This event center would house livestock during the county fair but also be large enough to host various events throughout the year.

Their family is very active in showing at swine shows throughout the state and country. Daughter, Parker, enjoys showing and they enjoy traveling as a family and competing.

Challenges to success

Recently the Elchingers had to deal with fall armyworm. This is a somewhat rare occurrence in the fall, but they faced complete destruction of some of their alfalfa fields. There isn’t any price and weather insurance available to to them for alfalfa losses making that a unique challenge for them to face.

Current trends

Bailey works each day in the grain markets while also working actively on the farm with Nick at home. While this does not mean she knows when the “high is in” for the corn market – it does mean she has a different perspective than most in agriculture. It is sometimes easier for Bailey to take a step back and remind producers to look at their operation as a business and study their profit potential at certain market prices.

Helping grain operations and producers be profitable and for them to continue their legacy in agriculture has always been Bailey’s goal. As business-minded individuals take active management roles in production agriculture, Bailey has seen operations be very successful!