Wednesday, March 4, 2015

We Are Indiana Agriculture: The Gillis Family

By Sarah Mahan of This Farm Family's Life

Elaine Gillis and her husband, Craig, farm corn and soybeans in Delaware, Blackford, and Jay counties.  They have an 8-year-old son, Adam, whom they anticipate will join them in the farming operations someday.  Additionally, Elaine assists Craig with their Beck’s Hybrids Seed dealership.  Farming has been a part of Elaine’s life for many years.  She grew up on a farm about 20 miles from where they currently farm.  “Farming is a way of life and a life that was born into my blood.  I don’t work outside the home; however, I do help operate the inventory in/out of our seed dealership, help with manual labor at spring planting, and drive the combine in the fall.  Additionally, I do contract work for an agricultural company, Beck Ag.”  


One of her fondest memories from growing up on a farm is the fall season.  “I love the smell of corn and beans on a chilly or cold evening.  It can’t be found anywhere else, but on the farm.  I also remember the late evenings, listening to the augers empty grain into the grain bins and having fun playing with my brothers and cousins in the barn lot while my dad was working in the fields.”

Elaine and Craig are the third generation to farm the family farm.  “Craig’s grandfather came directly from Belgium and started to farm upon his arrival to the States,” Elaine explains.  Craig’s dad Richard and his brother, Joe, join are also active on the farm.”

When asked what she enjoys most about farming, Elaine stated, “The sense of accomplishment watching a crop grow throughout the season and seeing how plants adjust during adverse conditions during the growing season.  To me, this represents so much of life and how we adjust to different conditions when they are presented.  It’s amazing what the possibilities are when we take care of our soil, the plants, and our water supply, and this is evidenced in the adaptability and success of the plant.”

Elaine currently serves on the United Soybean Board, representing the Indiana Soybean Alliance.  The Gillis family is also one of the feature families in the Glass Barn at the Indiana State Fair.  Additionally, Elaine serves on the Indiana Soybean Board Organizational Committee to spread the word about the many uses for soybeans and the good work soybean farmers do.


“Agriculture is not just a job for many of us in the business.  It is a true love for the land and a true effort of stewardship to our environment.   In our business, we do things to be able to strengthen our operations so that we can pass our business to the next generation.  We plan to take care of things now so they are available and stronger for the future.”

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