Tassels, Tank Mixes, and Family Transitions with Ethan Carothers (Ohio)

Ethan Carothers farms with his parents in northwest Ohio, where his operation spans both row crops and a custom spraying business. After graduating from Ohio State in 2016, he looked for ways to come back full-time without relying solely on the farm’s income. For a time, that meant driving a school bus for health insurance, but before long he invested in a Hagie high-boy sprayer and launched a custom application business. What began as a side hustle soon became a profitable second enterprise, spraying acres both privately and through a local co-op. It allowed Ethan to stop driving bus, strengthen cash flow, and start carving his own place in the family farm.

The farm itself has been in the family since his grandparents moved down from Michigan in the 1950s. Ethan’s grandfather built it up, and when he passed, his parents who were still in their late twenties were suddenly running the whole show. That early trial by fire shaped how they approached succession: gradually shifting responsibility to Ethan much earlier than most farm families do. At just thirty-one, Ethan already manages finances, agronomy decisions, and equipment purchases while his dad focuses more on shop work and selective field tasks. His mom, who once farmed full-time, now works off-farm but still drives the combine when needed.

Family is at the center of Ethan’s story. He and his wife are raising three young boys, all of whom love rides in the tractor or combine. His dad, now semi-retired, spoils the grandkids with snacks in the shop, just as Ethan once remembered his own grandfather doing with Pepsi and sugar cookies in the combine cab. The boys already drive toy Gators around the yard, and Ethan laughs that he’s looking forward to a few rock-picking hands in a couple years. His wife also grew up on a nearby cattle and crop farm, and though her hands are full with the kids, she makes sure they spend plenty of time in the fields.

Farming hasn’t come without challenges. Ethan’s first official year, 2019, was a near washout, with prevent plant blanketing much of Ohio and corn acres slashed. He still recalls finishing soybeans on June 28 and feeling the weight of uncertainty that season brought. Anhydrous safety has also been a hard lesson and after a valve snapped and released a dangerous cloud, Ethan outfitted their tractors with masks and stricter safety protocols. These moments sharpened his perspective: farming demands caution, resilience, and constant learning.

Beyond the acres, Ethan invests in community. He’s a volunteer firefighter and first responder, often dropping farm work mid-day to run calls. He stays active in church and local fundraisers, knowing that rural life is sustained as much by neighbors as by yields. That ethic of service mirrors his farm philosophy: do the best you can with the land you have, don’t overextend for growth that doesn’t pencil, and balance ambition with contentment.

🎙️ Pass the mic

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

• Ethan’s question for the next guest: Where do you see seed genetics going in the future, and how much more can we push them compared to today?

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