Doing what’s right for the farming community is important to Mower County farmer Dan Gerlach.

He first became interested in crop consulting during college internships. Those experiences inspired Gerlach to start his company, Gerlach Crop Consulting LLC. He attended University of Wisconsin-River Falls and received a degree in agriculture business with a minor in crop and soil science.

“Every summer through college I did crop consulting,” he said. “I went full time after graduating and really liked it and thought I might as well stick with it.”

Gerlach farms with his dad, Larry; brother, Bradley; wife, Kelley; and daughter, Clara, on their corn and soybean operation. Gerlach is also part of the Mower County Corn & Soybean Association board, Austin Area FFA Alumni and serves as treasurer for the Minnesota Independent Crop Consultant Association.

He encourages other farmers to be proactive.

“Do what’s right and don’t wait too long to get something done, because sometimes you don’t get another chance at that,” he said.

Gerlach has been involved with his county association for four years and has been on the corn and soybean board for almost two years. As an advocate and member, he’s helping to share MSGA’s messaging in his community.

“I became a board member because farmers are the driving force of the organization,” he said. “It is also pretty cool to do the outreach and education that we do.”