May Family Farms
In 1984, Floyd and Janice May, along with their four children, Dana, Jason, Ryan and Randall, purchased and settled on their farm just south of Rush City. Corn, soybeans and hay were planted, tended and harvested with help from Janice’s parents, Herbert and Mary Lindenfelser, along with relatives and friends of the family. As the years went by, the Mays’ farm grew and expanded further, thanks to everyone’s combined efforts.
In 1999, Floyd and Janice’s oldest son, Jason, graduated from Central Lakes Technical College with a diesel technician degree. Jason and his dad were able to service and repair their own equipment as well as work full-time off the farm. A year later, Jason purchased 40 acres of neighboring land. He and his wife, Rebecca, built their home and started a family. As time passed, the farm expanded and turned into a full-time job.
The Mays’ farming practices include strip-till, no-till, conventional tillage and nutrient management. Precision farming technology such as soil testing and GPS mapping has been implemented. The May family also applies variable rate products such as fertilizer, seed, and soil health nutrients. At harvest time the Mays work together to combine, transport loads of grain back to the farm, and operate and monitor the grain dryer. Jason and his wife Becky’s children, Dathan, Meghan, and Spencer, as well as Dana’s children, Kaylee and Kole, all help on the farm in important ways to drive its success.
The Mays are active with many groups and organizations related to agriculture in their community, including the Chisago County Farm Bureau where Jason has served as president for the last 12 years. He also serves on the county FSA committee and the Chisago County Fair Board. Becky has served as a committee member for the Chisago County Fair Kids Day event for 11 years, and Meghan plans to pursue a degree in agricultural business.