Putting in a hard days work are the Pierce brothers, from left, Rod, Jeff, Dave and Tom.

My Grandpa Pierce was coal miner-turned farmer. Unfortunately, his story was lost over the years.

When Grandpa retired, my dad purchased the farm near Woodward, Iowa. The small parcels of land were later sold and monies used to purchase better quality ground in a neighboring county.

After graduating from high school in 1974, I studied diesel mechanics and took a job at Ryerson John Deere Implement in Nevada, later working at Van Wall Equipment in Perry. Evenings and weekends I returned home and helped on the farm. With assistance from my dad, I transitioned into full-time farming in the late 70s.

My wife and I purchased our first farm/acreage south of Ogden in 1983. My dad, brother Rod and I worked together growing corn and soybeans and raising hogs. Younger brother Tom later joined the operation.

We raised three children on the home place and still reside there, even after retirement. My final crop was planted in 2025.

Corn to Whiskey