PLATO, Minn. — At Johnson Farms in Plato, Mark Johnson keeps up with his work during yet another rainy day.
Mark is a corn and soybean producer. He started in the early 80's.
"Been going ever since. Hope I can do it another 10 years," said Johnson.
Years like 2019 make it tough especially with wet and wild weather.
"Yeah it's going to be a down year," said Johnson.
So to stay on the farm, Mark works off it.
"Supplements income," said Johnson.
He drives trucks several times a week for a Green Isle beer distributor. His wife also works off the farm.
"Need that extra income because the farm is unpredictable," said Johnson.
This is a growing trend according to the University of Minnesota's Center for Farm Financial Management.
The average off-farm income for farmers has increased more than $10,000 in the last decade.
"I have a lot of friends that work off the farm, driving a school bus, driving a truck. A lot of them sell seed," said Johnson.
Mark says driving trucks is second nature to him all to maintain the land he loves.
