Colin Wegner understands the meaning of family farming.

Wegner sells seeds and grows soybeans and corn on a fifth-generation operation in Wells. He works alongside his dad, Eric, great uncle, Ron, and Ron’s sons Britt and Blair.

Colin’s wife, Mikayla, and their one-year-old son, Cash, also help around the farm. Colin’s grandfather, Mike, farmed with them until he died unexpectedly last year in a farming accident.

“He’s probably been my biggest mentor from an agricultural standpoint,” Wegner said. “I learned a lot from my grandpa.”

Wegner hopes to mentor Cash if he pursues farming like the generations before him.

“I really enjoy working with my family members and learning successful tips and tricks from my family members,” Wegner said. “Those are the guys that I look up to when it comes to farming and anything agriculture related.”

His neighbor is Minnesota Soybean Growers Association Vice President Darin Johnson, who helped Wegner get involved with the local Faribault County Corn and Soybean Growers. Wegner’s board position then led to his MSGA membership.

“I think it’s important for farmers to realize just how integral everything that MSGA does, or the various organizations do, to ensure that we’re going to have a marketable crop,” Wegner said. “There’s a lot of people trying to advocate for farmers.”