Ever since Kevin Medow
graduated from Southeast Community College’s Beatrice Campus in 1983, he’s been
running a family farm near Utica. Medow operates an irrigated grain farm with
his nephew, Aaron Noler, and his son Christopher will join the operation when
he graduates from SCC in a couple of years. It’s always been a family affair
for the Medows.
“My sister (Rhonda) has also
been working for several years at the farm as the bookkeeper and extra help to
keep things running smoothly,” Kevin said. “Of course, my parents, who are in
their mid-80s, have been taking an active part for many years in the farm
and still live at the home place.”
Medow said he decided to
attend SCC back in the 1980s because of the smaller campus and the ability to
graduate in half the time as a traditional college. During those two years he
was able to concentrate on the skills necessary to run his farming operation.
“I focused on skills needed
for crop production agriculture in a hands-on environment with practical class
instruction and training,” he added.
His time on the Beatrice
Campus helped Medow learn the tools to become successful in running his
operation. Following graduation, he then attended SCC Milford to learn about
diesel technology.
“You can never stop learning;
school is just the start or springboard to launch your career,” he said. “You
always have to be exploring and growing in the understanding of new ideas and
technology to implement those tools, whether mechanical or financial, that
will have the best chance to bring greater efficiency to the operation.”
Medow hopes to eventually
scale back his involvement and spend more time with his grandchildren. Until
then, he continues the hard work of a farmer, with the influence of SCC.
“I hope to be able to
transition out of my role as the main decision maker and allow the
next generation to continue to successfully manage and operate the farm into
the future,” he said.
Kevin and his wife Angie also
have three daughters: Katherine, Sarah and Clare, and one infant granddaughter,
Madeline.