Josh Carlson didn’t just come back to the farm—he carved out his place before graduation. From renting 10 acres at 14 to hauling pigs and hustling through Iowa State, Josh’s story is grit, faith, and family-first farming in small-town Iowa.

In this episode, Josh talks about the early days alongside his brother Ben, the quiet sacrifices his dad made to give them a head start, and what it’s like to carry a five-generation legacy. It isn’t all row crops and sunshine—there are near misses, long hours, and the hard calls most folks never see from the road (including his time on the volunteer fire department).

You’ll hear how the Carlsons balance tradition with tech, split duties without butting heads, and keep “family” at the center of the business. There’s a lot of heart here—early combine rides with Grandma, drive-your-tractor-to-school memories, and the kind of small-town community that still shows up when it counts.

🎙️ Pass the Mic

• Quint’s question to Josh: “How are you encouraging people—employees specifically—to take an interest in ownership in the industry, not just on the farm?”

• Josh’s question for the next guest: “What’s one of the biggest things you’ve seen change in the farming community—from when you started to where you are now?”

Thanks for listening to Beyond the Bushels, where farm stories go deeper than yield.

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