DECATUR, Ill. (DTN) -- Follow DTN to Maryland and Minnesota this growing season as our feature called "View From the Cab" kicks off for 2026.

The diary-like series will head to the farms and fields of Chris Weaver of Finksburg, Maryland, and Tyler Rath of Belgrade, Minnesota. This is the first Maryland farmer to participate in the 22-year history of this column. Minnesota was included in 2009 and 2006. Articles will begin to post in late April and appear on Sundays throughout the growing season.

This season promises to cover a diversity of enterprises and provide a unique opportunity to learn more about farming in these regions. The farmer-volunteers will also address a wide range of current topics that reflect on rural life.

MEET TYLER RATH

Rath is a third-generation farmer. He and his wife, Ashley, a doctor, live with their three children on the homestead where Rath Farms started. He manages the operation with the help of his parents, one-full time employee and a herd of friends, relatives and neighbors who pitch in when needed.

Corn, kidney beans (white, light red, dark red), sweet corn, English garden peas, soybeans, navy beans, snap beans and hay for cattle make up the crop portfolio. He raises most of these crops in conventional and certified organic systems.

A Black Angus cow-calf operation rounds out the farm. Rath Farms is involved in direct beef sales to local consumers.

The central Minnesota farm sits in the Bonanza Valley Watershed. "This area has the blessing and the curse of center-pivot irrigation," said Rath. "We are blessed with a solid aquifer under us and cursed if you want any summer plans other than irrigating." About 85% of the acreage is under irrigation, which helps support vegetable production. Field sizes range from 15 acres to 190 acres. Most of the corn travels about 40 miles to an ethanol plant or feed mill.

MEET CHRIS WEAVER

A sixth-generation farmer located in north-central Maryland, Weaver wears several caps. He and his father manage day-to-day farm operations, growing crops that include corn, soybeans, barley and rye. They also finish 200 head of cattle per year. His wife, Megan, is a veterinarian and oversees cattle health. Their two children are active on the farm and in 4-H with show pigs and lambs joining field crop projects. Weaver's mother manages the farm bookkeeping, and his mother-in-law helps move equipment and people during crunch times.

In addition to the farm, Weaver has branched into seed and fertilizer sales, which includes agronomic consulting. That portion of the business, and the farm, depend on a handful of key individuals.

Farming within an hour of Baltimore and close to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, brings the challenges of moving equipment in high-traffic areas while educating the public to the need of various agricultural operations. Competing interests for land is pressuring both availability and prices.

BETWEEN THE ROWS

Slightly more than 1,200 miles separate the two farms, but similarities will emerge this season. Both farmers have aggressive production efficiency goals, for example.

Rath landed a first-place state win in the 2025 National Corn Growers Association yield contest by producing 278.08 bushels per acre (bpa) in the conventional irrigated class. Weaver grew 156.73 bpa soybeans last year to set a no-till, non-irrigated soybean production record verified by the Maryland Soybean Association. His goal is to grow 400 bpa corn using only 0.5 units/bushel of nitrogen. Last year, he achieved 350 bpa under those fertilizer limitations.

Growing more with less ranks high on the list of topics that Weaver wants to cover in this series. Soil health and using technology to further production goals are other areas of interest.

Rath hopes the series allows the public to see it is possible to raise a family in rural America and provide high-quality products to consumers. Making the cost of living and cost of doing business pencil out in sustainable ways is also top of mind for the farmer.

Weather, the political ping pong of input prices and juggling family and business are other topics sure to emerge as the season and summer progresses.

Pamela Smith can be reached at pamela.smith@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @PamSmithDTN

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