Kindred Family Farms: Taking Pride in the Family Ground

Fourth and fifth generation farmers, Ron and Jay Kindred have a deep appreciation for the family farming operations. Ron grew up within walking distance of the Dunham farm in Atlanta, IL where he learned how to drive a tractor and work hard on the same soil as his great-grandfather, grandfather and his dad.

Although his grandfather moved the family to Ohio for three years, the Kindreds came back to the Illinois soil where the family has now farmed the last 80 years, the Dunham Farm. At the age of six in 1960, Ron moved from town to the Dunham Farm where his mom and dad lived the rest of their lives. In 1962, Ron’s mom and dad, Norma and Wendell Kindred, purchased the 226 acre farm Ron and Jayne Kindred live on today for $327.50/acre. Years of working with the family and learning the farming practice led to Ron farming full time with Wendell in 1980.

Leading into the transition of ownership, Ron formed Kindred Farms, Inc. and began the process to purchase the farm taking ownership. In 1995, Ron and Jayne purchased 40 acres of land growing the size of the operation.

From the time Ron can remember, he’s been on the farm. He has fond memories of the open cab tractors and combines, and the dust that would create a whirlwind around the equipment. He never rode in the open cab combine, however, he did ride plenty of times in the open cab tractor with dad. Never on the fenders but between dad’s legs, the safest place, and where he could be right by the steering wheel dreaming of the day he, himself, would drive the equipment.

The first time he drove a tractor by himself was when his dad sent him out to hoe with a John Deere G with a hand clutch, and another great memory is the first Case tractor the family owned, a Case 930. This was purchased from Dick Schmidt, owner of Schmidt-Implement, after trading in a Massey 44, which was the biggest tractor on the farm at that time. When they got the Case 930, Ron remembers how large that tractor felt, especially after putting in a torque converter for more power. Another memorable tractor is their Case 1070 that came next from Schmidt Implement .

Before switching over to Kinze planters, the family had a six Row John Deere 7000 MaxEmerge. Looking for a larger planter, long-time family friend, Dave Evans with Evans Implement in Lawndale helped Kindred Farms get setup with a 12 Row Kinze Econofold. Enjoying the Kinze planter, Kindred Farms have had Kinze planters ever since this trade. Dave’s father, Tom Evans, was very mechanically inclined while Dave had the knowledge of the equipment, making Evan’s Implement a great place to do business.

Evans Implement soon merged with Schmidt-Marcotte, Inc., which was great for the Kindreds as they knew and purchased from both Evans Implement and Schmidt-Marcotte, Inc. Both owners, Dave Evans and Dick Schmidt were seen as very trustworthy and knowledgeable individuals to the Kindred Farms.

As time went on and new equipment was needed, their 12 Row Kinze was traded for a 12/23 Kinze 2600. At this time Gregg Hainline took ownership with Ron in the farming operation and moved to a 16/31 Kinze 3600 and they’ve continued to stay with another Kinze 3600 this one a bulk fill.

To this day, the Kindreds continue to plant with their 2013 Kinze 3600 (16/31). In liue of purchasing a new planter they upgraded their already-owned planter with a liquid system, VSet, and VDrive. By the time they were done with the upgrades, they had more hydraulics and minimal to no issues.

“The beauty of the Kinze planter is the simplicity. It’s not a complex design, you can work on it and not feel overwhelmed,” explained Jay.

The Kinze planter has a lot of flex to do terraces, and there are a lot of slopes on the Kindred Farms. When Wendell set up the farm, it was to set to be planted by a six row Planter, so the terraces are only 12 rows wide. With the Kinze’s flexibility both ways, it’s got a lot of give to go over the terraces.

The technology on planters has come a long way. Ron never thought he would see the day where planters shut off automatically when coming to the end of a row. “Saving seed and the dollar that saves is significant” said Ron. “The shutoff feature is especially useful when working with a lot of points,” Jay explains further, “We’ve had this planter for three years and the increased price for technology has paid for itself.”

Dave Evans, owner of Evans Implement, played a large role in helping the Kindreds be successful each planting season and began their trust and loyalty to the Kinze brand.

Evans Implement merged with Schmidt-Marcotte, Inc. in 1992 Dave Evans became co-owner alongside Dick Schmidt, Steve Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, and Bill Marcotte. Dave Evans passed away in 2013, and son Tim Evans remains active in the family business, now Central Illinois Ag.

“We still have a piece of Evans Implement in the shed. The hand crank oil pump, one they used in the shop and we still use it today.” said Ron’s son, Jay Kindred.

“I miss Dave, he was a good friend...and a good Cardinals fan, too!” Ron said.

The Next Generation

Jay Kindred grew up doing whatever his dad, Ron, was doing in the field and in the shop. He had a foot tall stool that he’d carry around and took in every tractor and combine to sit on while his dad worked. He spent endless hours in the cab of the equipment with dad, grandpas, and Uncle Willy. If he wasn’t in the tractor or combine, you could find Jay riding passenger in the straight truck. He was always on the farm and enjoyed each moment.

His first memory of driving equipment was in their Case 2290 to mow the alfalfa. Jay recalls the excitement and wanting to make his dad proud with the straightest lines possible. Ron remembers feeling very proud of his son, but also very nervous and scared that he would tear something up. “Now the tables have turned and I feel that way with dad,” Jay jokes.

After college Jay began selling crop insurance and was able to continue being active on the family farm during harvest several days a week. He knew he wanted to be back on the farm eventually but at the time wasn’t sure if there was enough ground for both himself and his parents to work. The perfect time to return to the farm was when his father was still very active in the farm, but getting closer to retirement. Today, Ron is able to farm beside his son Jay and begin to slowly turn decisions over.

Working together, Ron and Jay talk about everything from the daily tasks and schedules to details of the business decisions. Ron has full confidence that Jay has and will continue to make the best decisions for the farm. “Just because I did it one way doesn’t mean it’s the right way,” said Ron. “You have to learn to give and take a little bit, you can’t try to be too head strong and in control - because that just won’t work.”

After running a Case IH 9230 for quite some time, Jay was looking to trade for a Case IH Steiger 350 that Central Illinois Ag had on the lot. After talking with Ron about this decision and getting the ‘okay’, Jay confirms that’s when he felt like he was ‘in’.

Ron and Jay have a lot of emotions invested into the family farm. The history and family memories mean a lot to both these men, and it’s evident in the pride they take within the farming operation and practice.