Minnesota Farmer Turns to Midland for GMRS Farm Communication

A Minnesota farmer is turning to Midland for GMRS farm communication to improve efficiency during harvest season.

Born to farm

For Rece Johnson, farming is a family affair.

“My dad farms. I farm with my dad and my uncles.”

They operate a corn and soybean farm in southern Minnesota, also raising hogs.

He’s a fourth-generation farmer, so it’s all he’s ever known.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I would go out and ride in the tractors. Driving the tractors is so fun,” he said.

He enjoys seeing the fruits of his labor up close, making it a rewarding process from start to finish.

“I like seeing the crops grow all year- progress and change. I love watching them change after planting in the spring and combining them in the fall.”

Sharing skills on social

A few years ago, his grandparents got him a drone for Christmas and he started taking videos of the farm.

“I got a hang of the editing and really had fun doing that stuff. I’ve just continued to make videos ever since.”

He enjoys offering a glimpse into life on his farming operation.

“I just like showing our operation and we do some different practices here- with our tillage and manure, just showing that to other people. We just like to share how we’re doing things different in this part of the world.”

@the_gen_z_farmer

GMRS farm communication 

Johnson began using Midland’s two-way GMRS radios about 2 years ago after seeing people like Larson Farms speak about them on Youtube. Ever since, they’ve been a game changer on the farm.

“Being able to talk and communicate with everybody else, especially in the busy season like harvest and planting just makes your life a lot easier.”

He uses the MXT500 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio and MXT115 MicroMobile® Two-Way Radio.

“They’ve been super helpful with communication. Being able to talk to everyone that quick is great. If one person is talking, everyone gets the message. No communication gets mixed up ever. This just brings simplicity to the farm.”

They’re going into year 2 of using the radios. He couldn’t be happier with how they’ve worked and how easy they are to use.

“As far as the simplicity of it, with installation, I can get it out of the box, wire it up, and have it ready to go within 30 minutes or less.”

August on the farm

As far as what’s going on during the month of August, Johnson said they’re preparing for harvest which typically begins in mid-September.

“We’re hauling a lot of corn in August. There’s a lot of trucking going on.”