Showing 4-H animals is, in fact, how Mark and Denise met back during their high school days. Their early leadership experiences set the stage for a lifetime of industry involvement. “We got our leadership start early in our marriage as we served on the Indiana Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee,” Denise says. “We then got involved nationally in the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee which opened our eyes to agriculture all over the country. You can get so wrapped up in your own farm and state that you forget the other parts of agriculture.”
Denise, who is currently on the Indiana Soybean Alliance Board of Directors, points out industry involvement helps them look at ag as a whole for the greater good. When asked how she manages a full time job, farming, family, ag industry and community involvement, Denise smiles and says, “The more you put in, the more you get out.”
The theme of collaboration can also be seen in their excavation business. Mark, who is an operating engineer by training, had always operated heavy equipment. They realized starting this business by buying an excavator and a bulldozer gave them the opportunity to work for themselves as well as help local farmers do things like clear tree lines and clean ditches. They understand the needs of their peers and can be a valued partner.
As Mark and Denise raise the fourth generation on the farm, they are passionate about sustainability. They utilize cover crops to help preserve and enrich the soil and keep close tabs on their water usage. “Simply put, we take care of the land we live on,” Mark says. Technology enables the Scarboroughs to carefully target the chemicals they apply and use variable rates to be very precise in using their inputs. They also utilize a practice call vertical tilling. “This means instead of deep tilling, we till over the crop to help break down the corn stalks in the fall,” Mark explains.
Consumers might be surprised at the amount of technology farmers used by farmers, Denise points out. The couple spoke at a dinner this spring with consumers and were able to pull back the curtain on how farming actually works. “We are using just ounces of chemical an acre, and also helped people understand that just because a farm has LLC or Corp after the name, that does not mean it is not a family farm,” Denise says.
One of the questions they were asked at the dinner was about their favorite part of farming. Mark and Denise agree it is the ability to work as a family and raise their children on the farm. “Back when I was a teen, growing up on a farm wasn’t overly cool, we are so happy our kids are proud of what our family does and enjoy life on the farm,” Denise says. “Our goal is to keep farming in a sustainable way so future generations have the opportunity. “