Finalists for the Top Producer of the Year award represent the best in the business of farming, specifically entrepreneurial originality; financial and business progress; and industry and community leadership. This is not an award about size or scope. Instead, it focuses on professionalism, sophistication and innovation. Congratulations to Engel Family Farms, a 2023 Top Producer of the Year award finalist. The Engel family was recognized at a ceremony held Feb. 24 during Top Producer Summit in Nashville.
The short drive from home to the office gives first-generation farmer Kevin Engel just enough time to start his day.
“I talk to the Lord on the way here every morning,” he says. “I give thanks for a lot of stuff and put in a few requests too.”
Upon arrival the hustle begins. The Hanover, Va.-based operation stretches across 23,000 acres and grows corn, soybeans, milo, rapeseed and wheat with a focus on producing high-quality grain for premium prices. The operation works with 200-plus landlords in 19 counties in Virginia and three counties in North Carolina.
“Growing, harvesting and trucking to mills feeding poultry, pork and even people is no easy task,” Engel says. “We don’t hunt. We don’t fish. We farm. Seven days a week most of the time. Almost year round.”
It’s a work ethic he learned from his mentor, his father, Carol, who moved to Virginia from Illinois to be a farm manager. His father’s passion has bled across generations. Watching his father live and breathe farming, Engel developed his own interests in the business.
“I don’t know if it’s a genetic thing or not, but I think it might be because I’m the same way. You know, people ask me what I do for a hobby, and I say farm because I love it,” Engel says.
Today, his family loves farming as well. All three of his kids work in the operation.
Chris runs logistics, managing trucks, deliveries, farm crews and everything in between.
“When it’s harvest, I ask Chris, ‘Where do you want me to go today? Where do you need me today?’ I don’t go until Chris says this is what I’m going to do today,” Engel says.
Casey handles the technology and precision side of the operation.
“Technology changes every day in agriculture. It can get rather overwhelming, so somebody has to stay on top of it. That’s Casey’s job,” Engel says.
Daughter Savannah keeps the office, partnerships and paperwork in line.
“I’m so grateful to have them because I wouldn’t want to do it without them,” he says.
Together, Engel Family Farms delivers grain to some of the biggest agribusinesses on the East coast, including Perdue, Tyson, Smithfield and Byrd Mills.
“Some farmers have a tendency to think they are the customer when they’re buying equipment, fertilizer and seed. Then when they sell their grain, they think they’re the customer,” Engel says. “In my opinion, you can’t be the customer coming and going. Our customers are the grain buyers.”
A Steward of the Land
Close ties to their customers and proximity to Chesapeake Bay is why they planted some 16,000 acres of cover crops this year via airplane. Preserving the land and its rich history is important.
A house on one of the farms the family rents in Henrico county has cannonballs lodged in the side of it from the war. When Engel started farming, one of the first pieces of land he rented was part of the farm that Secretariat, a American Triple Crown winner, was born and raised.
A hard-charging horse with a big heart fits well among the Engels as they pursue each day. A farm where everyone is family.
“When you can get your people to say they enjoy what they’re doing, they’ve got to feel like family,” Engel says. “I want that culture to continue.”
A culture of hard work, respect and pure joy from farming.
“God’s promised us all increase if we work hard and do our part. Boy, He’s certainly fulfilled His promise to me and my family,” Engel says.
Congratulations to Kevin Engel and the Engel family, a finalist for the 2023 Top Producer of the year.
Get to know the other 2023 Top Producer award winners:
Silent Shade Planting Company, Top Producer of the Year
MoDak Dairy, Top Producer of the Year finalist
Marcia Ruff, Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award
