The Drost Family: Creating Balance on and off the Farm

If the Drost family had a mission statement on the welcome mat at their front door, it might include this word: “balance.” Jackson and Amanda Drost from New Sharon, a town of about 1,200 people 70 miles southeast of Des Moines, Iowa, embrace those two goals when it comes to working off the farm to help build the farm; adjusting to changing politics, technology, and weather; and strengthening the foundation of their marriage to enable everything to work.

"It's been crazy busy," Amanda told American Farmland Owner outside their home as she stood next to her husband. She continued, "…like every farm family with kids involved in things, especially in May with planting season. We have two boys, Richard and Andy. Richard's almost 11, and Andy just turned 5 a couple of weeks ago. They were in T-ball and baseball this spring, so it felt like we were living at the ball field while also trying to get the crop in."

Jackson and Amanda Drost bio:

• Family farmers: corn, soybeans, alfalfa, and operate an Angus cow-calf herd in New Sharon, Iowa

• Children started Drost Brothers Popcorn.

• Peoples Company 2023 Farmer of the Year

• Promote conservation efforts, including cover cropping, and buffer strips

Farming and Family

That kind of double-duty, where they balance ballgames and tractors is a familiar rhythm for many rural families. But the Drosts also work off the farm, adding yet another layer of complexity.

“I try to make every game,” Jackson added. “It gets hectic. It's hard to quick shut down, go to the game for an hour and a half, then come back to the field. But I made a lot of the games, and you can't get those memories back by missing them.”

Between the rows of corn and Little League bleachers, Amanda and Jackson also work hard to nurture their marriage, even if that means redefining what a date night looks like.

“Tonight, we’re probably going to go on a date,” Amanda laughed, “and it's few and far between. But honestly, just taking those small minutes together…we just talked while working on something. Those are the better dates than just going to a restaurant. It’s important.”

RELATED: The Drosts explained to American Farmland Owner why diversification is vital to their farming operation in this 2024 conversation. 

Divorce rates for farm couples may be lower than the national average. But the stress burden can be heavy with additional non-stop demands of farming, the unpredictable nature of dealing with the weather, and adjusting to the ever-changing markets and international geopolitical factors.

Making Farm Marriages Strong

That is why the Drosts have committed to making sure they don’t neglect their marriage as they tend to their other responsibilities. Jackson said, “You know, sometimes the best dates are when the kids are in bed and we’re out in the shop together. I can't even remember what we were working on — I think it was the sprayer — but we were talking about life, planning a little family trip. Just doing what we love. Those are some of the best memories.”

Of course, it’s not always easy. Farming with extended family and managing different personalities adds another layer of emotional work.

“For me,” Jackson said, “I farm with my dad and uncle, and we have hired help, too. Everyone has a different personality. And when you're all family, that can add a little weight. But we try to focus on what’s important, and that’s family. That’s what keeps everything grounded.”

Amanda is often the one who helps Jackson decompress. “She’s my listening ear,” he said. “And I try to be hers. But sometimes I just want to fix things when she just needs me to listen. Pastor Mark, who married us, told me that years ago, and I'm still learning.”

“Fourteen years in,” Amanda added with a smile, “we’re still figuring it out. But it works.”

Looking to the future, the Drosts are building something bigger than just a business; they are investing in a legacy.

“I want my boys — whether they choose to farm or not — to know that we tried to make everything better for what’s to come,” Jackson said. “That means how we treat the land, how we treat each other. We don’t want to take without giving back. It’s not just about yields. It’s about relationships and responsibility.”

This year, the Drosts committed to planting cover crops, a long-term investment in the health of their soil and the future of their farm. “The benefits of that aren't here tomorrow,” Jackson said. “But someday, they will be.”

From late-night shop talks to planting for the next generation, Jackson and Amanda Drost find balance by focusing on what matters most.

And sometimes, it all starts with a broken sprayer.

RELATED: This Iowa widow who lost her husband to cancer defends the use of pesticides on the farm.