Between the Rows and the Rescue Calls with Josh Carlson (Iowa)

Josh Carlson farms alongside his brother Ben and their parents in central Iowa, carrying on a legacy that now stretches five generations. He rented his first ten acres at just fourteen, feeding pigs and slowly picking up ground from neighbors who saw his work ethic. By the time he graduated from Iowa State in 2020, Josh was already balancing seed corn acres, livestock chores, and decisions most young farmers don’t face until years later.

The Carlson farm is a full family affair. Their mom manages the books, runs the grain cart in the fall, and climbs into the field cultivator in spring. Their dad, who once shifted the operation from cattle toward row crops, remains a steady hand and mentor, though Josh and Ben now shoulder much of the daily responsibility. Ben thrives in the shop, rebuilding engines and repairing equipment, while Josh leans toward the technology side, managing guidance lines, data, and precision tools. It’s a partnership built on complementary strengths.

The memories that shaped Josh’s love of farming go beyond acres and yields. He recalls rides to the field with his grandma after school, early mornings hauling pigs with his dad to Perry, and the simple joy of stopping for a donut on the way home. There were lighter moments too, like sitting with his siblings in an apple tree watching his parents try to chase skunks away from the barn. These small-town stories, stitched together with long days and late nights, formed the foundation of his commitment to family-first farming.

But farming also comes with risk. Josh has seen near-misses firsthand—a bean head nearly tipping into a ditch, long hours behind livestock gates, and the constant reminder that safety can’t be an afterthought. That awareness, along with his role on the local fire department, gives him perspective on just how fragile a normal day on the farm can be.

Faith and community remain central to the Carlson family’s philosophy. Josh serves on the county fair swine committee and his town’s volunteer fire department, while also helping organize events through the local growth group. He says their approach with employees and neighbors is simple: treat them like family. For Josh, pride comes not only from raising crops and livestock but also from living out stewardship of the land, the animals, and the people around them.

🎙️ Pass the Mic

• Previous guest’s question: How do you help your employees develop personally and professionally while still growing the business?

• Josh’s question for the next guest: What’s one of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the farming community, from when you started to where you are today?

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