Austin Weyer, Hopf Equipment (Huntingburg, Ind.)

Austin has worked for Hopf Equipment since high school. He started as part time set-up person in our lawn and garden department, and did various jobs for years, helping us where ever we needed. I always liked to hire "farm boys" because they know how to work. CASE IH was pushing for a full time precision farming person at each store, so we ran that by him and he liked the challenge. He took training courses and was out demoing systems. He luckily got the opportunity to take over his family farm with his cousin. So, now he can use the technology in a real time setting. There is no doubt that being in the seat and using the technology first-hand helps with the precision farming position. I've heard him on the phone talking guys through issues. There's no better training than hands-on! We let him take off in the spring and fall to get his planting and harvesting done, and he knows if he has to go see someone there will be some late nights. It seems to work for him and us!    

—Mike Hopf (Huntingburg, Ind.)

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