Comprehensive Farm Management Services
Services
Capital Improvement Analysis & Project Management
First Harvest Farm Management has the experience and knowledge to evaluate capital improvement projects with a sharp pencil to improve the bottom line of the farm operation. Once the project is approved, we’ll manage it to a successful conclusion.
Eligibility Obtainment & Collection for USDA Farm Program Payments
Government farm program payment eligibility gets more restrictive with each farm bill. Let First Harvest navigate the complex process to enroll your farm for eligible program payments.
Overseer of Hunting Lease Opportunities
Many farms have opportunities to increase net return from leasing non- tillable land for hunting purposes. With our proper risk management and evaluation of the market, many of our clients can realize extra income from their farm.
Development & Implementation of Cost Saving Measures
With today’s tight margins in agriculture, wouldn’t it be reassuring to know you have someone with experience working to protect and improve your bottom line?
Crop Input Analysis & Implementation
At First Harvest Farm Management, it is our goal to review annually the crop rotation and inputs such as fertilizer, herbicides, pesticide programs, and seed selection to ensure that the crop plan fits the farm and the yield goals.
Crop & Farm Insurance Review
Every farm operation needs a robust periodic analysis and review of insurance coverages. First Harvest Farm Management completes an annual review with the landowner to ensure proper coverages are in place.
Enterprise Budgeting & Analysis
How many times have you wondered “Am I getting the best return on my farming operation?” We’ll do the number crunching for you and share our recommendations!
Management of Conservation Practices
We have many years of experience working with government cost-share programs and with conservation contractors. First Harvest will work closely with all parties to make sure the project improves the farm productivity and the bottom line.
Land Acquisition Strategies
Have you ever wondered how adding land might impact your operation? Does it make sense to trade tracts of land or sell a piece and reinvest? We have years of experience working with clients who look at their farmland as an integral part of their investment portfolio. We have excellent relationships with local realtors, attorneys, and banks, and have over 15 years of experience working with IRS Section 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges.
Grain Marketing
At First Harvest, we market our client’s grain with one simple philosophy – “If this were our own grain, how would we market it?” At First Harvest, when making grain sales for clients, we utilize advisory services for the big picture strategy, compare local cash grain bids to maximize price, and use a little bit of old-fashioned common sense to ensure that our clients benefit from sound grain marketing strategies.
Your Farm is in Good Hands with First Harvest Farm Management, LLC
We use our knowledge, experience, and integrity to respect the land, provide ease of ownership, and maximize your profits.
Principal Farm Manager
Joe Dierker is an Accredited Farm Manager certified through the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, a Certified Crop Advisor through the American Society of Agronomy and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor through the American Bankers Association –Institute ofCertified Bankers. He has aBachelor ofScience in Agri-Business from Illinois State University and earned a Master of Business Administration from Quincy University. Joe is a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Program, a highly-recognized two-year curriculum designed to develop leaders in the industry through seminars, domestic and foreign travel and networking with industry and government leaders. Joe has excellent relationships with area farmers, agricultural vendors and resources, attorneys, banks, and realtors. He also has over 15 years of experience in facilitating IRS Section 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges.
Click the logos to find out more about Joe’s credentials.
Testimonials
“We have utilized Joe Dierker’s expertise for some years to manage a ful range of farming needs on our Pike County acreage. He demonstrates a wide breadth of background and practicality regarding farming, contracting, hiring, grain marketing, etc. Joe has proven himself trustworthy, knowledgeable, prompt, and reliable in all of his services for us. We are quite pleased.”
Dr. S. P. Kozak,
President Hyk Family Farms, Inc. Springfield, IL
“Having known and worked with Joe for many years, we can vouch for his integrity and professionalism. And with the addition of the on-farm research plot, it seems to us, that Joe demonstrates a level of commitment not easily duplicated by other management firms. ”
Earl & Vicky Phillips
Grain and Livestock Producers Pike County, IL
“Joe Dierker has managed our family’s farm properties for over ten years. With his guidance, we have made valuable improvements to our farm properties and enjoyed excellent relationships with our tenants. Joe is professional and very knowledgeable in all aspects of farm management. He is quick to respond to our questions and concerns and is always a pleasure to work with.”
Susan Fralick – Manager Fralick Farms LLC Telluride, CO
“When working with trust accounts, Joe’s background, training and passion for agriculture allows him the ability to provide thorough and detailed management of the farmland and other trust issues.”
Mike Barton – Managing Partner Bellatti, Barton, Cochran & White LLC Springfield, IL
“Test plot layout was very good for hybrid comparison. Plot hybrid comparable report presentation at 2018 Plot Tour day was excellent.”
Tom Wombles – Owner Wombles Dozing and Tiling Pittsfield, IL
“Joe takes a firsthand approach to managing his client farms. I have worked with Joe since 2011. He takes pride in helping his clients make sound fertility decisions to manage their soils’ health.”
Janette Swartz-Porter, CCA, President/Principal RPM Soil Consulting, LLC White Heath, IL
“Test plot layout was very good for hybrid comparison. Plot hybrid comparable report presentation at 2018 Plot Tour day was excellent.”
Dale Plumer – Merchandiser-Grain Division
Bunge-SCF Grain
Griggsville, IL
“Joe Dierker has been an excellent farm manager for our Sesquicentennial Farm in Pike County for more than 15 years. He has made it possible for us out-of-state owners to cash rent farmland, maintain a hunting lease, plant trees, harvest timber, buy farm land, restore a barn, and even help educate the next generation about the farm.
We very much appreciate Joe’s expertise, integrity, and professionalism. We feel fortunate indeed to be working with him.”
Peter E Liggett, MD Jean Collins
South Carolina
Joe Says it Best: “At First Harvest Farm Management, LLC, we work with farm owners on a full range of issues including cost-saving measures, tenant screening and selection, crop input analysis, grain marketing, budgeting, conservation practices, hunting leases, and best use of government farm-income support programs. Our goal is to provide landowners with optimal profitability from their land investment while, at the same time, being good stewards of the land itself.”