Saying “yes” to every opportunity is advice often shared with the next generation of farmers, urging them to keep their options open and pursue new endeavors. After decades of farming, Kent and Isabella Chism still embrace that advice today.
Their Galveston, Ind., farm has been home to a variety of workshops, farm visits and open houses — both for local visitors and those from overseas. Keeping an open mind and an open door to their farm while advocating for agriculture is something that makes the Chisms stand out as 2025 Indiana Master Farmers.
The family farm was always part of Kent’s lifestyle, having grown up as the fifth generation on the home farm, which he runs today. His grandparents weathered the Great Depression with a dairy farm, and Kent worked on the farm with his parents — occasionally getting called out of school to help during the busier seasons.
He witnessed growth across some generations, while sharing that other generations were tasked with holding on to the farm through difficult seasons. Kent sums it up well.
“Sometimes, it’s about growing the farm,” he says. “And sometimes, it’s about not losing the farm.”
Isabella’s background looked a little different, coming to the farm with no prior experience. She moved to the U.S. from Austria when she was 6 years old, and she underwent the process to become a naturalized U.S. citizen when she was 17. Having a strong sense of citizenship and responsibility meant she knew what life with a farmer would entail.
“I married the farmer and the farm,” Isabella shares. “I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time, but he was very willing to answer all the questions that I asked because I wanted to understand.”
Kent downplays his role in helping Isabella adopt the farming lifestyle. He says it came naturally to him to take her under his wing, having grown up around the farm and learning from the mentors who taught him.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a teacher,” he jokes. “The way that I learned was by example — seeing and doing. That’s the way I teach.”
Working partners
Once the pair found a good balance in the way they work, the Chisms discovered that they excelled. Both were involved on the farm and in the home raising their children. When there were conflicts, Isabella prioritized the children’s events, and Kent weathered the busy seasons on the farm.
Before they found their groove, there were times when their differences nearly got in the way, but Isabella says they simply had to avoid getting aggravated.
“I think it takes both of us realizing we’re completely different,” Isabella adds. “We have to respect those differences to be a strong team.”
As she puts it, Kent’s strengths are knowledge and experience, while her strength is support, both on and off the farm. Understanding those strengths has allowed them to thrive, continuing to advance and grow the farm during their nearly five decades together.
Staying up to date
Today, the operation is split between corn and soybeans, with some soybean acres allocated to Plenish varieties. The Chisms are open to adopting new practices and technology to see what pans out in their operation. They incorporate buffer strips and minimal tillage, practices they think are essential to preserving their soils.
They also consult their farm advisers and the next generation when considering new technology. With technology rapidly evolving, they don’t want to fall behind. Technology like ExactEmerge, electric drives and drones for imaging are non-negotiables for the Chisms, who believe it will be critical to keep updating those components of the operation.
“Technology is just changing so fast,” Kent says. He is open to using drones for chemical applications, an endeavor he believes is well-suited for the next generation.
Beyond the farm
The Chisms’ mission to improve the farm extends past the farm gate, as they believe they can use their voice and platform to advocate for agriculture. They got their footing when they became involved in the Howard County Farm Bureau.
This marked a change in Isabella’s trajectory, launching her to her current role on the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors.
“You’ve got to tell your story,” she says. “You need to let people know what you do and give a peek behind the curtain.”
Isabella takes a state, national and international approach to advocating for agriculture, while Kent leads the grassroots effort back home, currently serving as vice president of the Howard County Farm Bureau. Together, they are always open to letting policymakers and international visitors stop by the farm and ask questions.
“We want to make sure that we are open to the conversations with other people outside of agriculture,” Isabella says. “And we don’t think any question is a dumb question.”
Good relations key to farming
Agriculture is constantly evolving, and trying to keep up with the changes can prove daunting without the right advisers, consultants and folks who have your back. Kent and Isabella learned this early on while working to grow and improve their Howard County farm.
Fondly named the “Board of Directors,” the group of agronomists, accountants, fertilizer dealers, bankers and seed dealers the Chisms work with is often consulted when major farm decisions must be made.
“We depend on them to advise us,” Kent says. “We’ve built a trusted relationship.”
The Chisms lean heavily on those trusted advisers when purchasing new equipment, testing new technology and managing in tighter years. Kent remembers working closely with his banker in the ’80s to adjust their budget and pull through those times.
“I didn’t like it at the time, but that really helped me sharpen my pencil from then on,” he acknowledges. “That relation was a big learning relationship.”
The solid relationships that the Chisms built early in their farming journey now allow them to reach out whenever they have a question, without having to jump through any hoops. The investment is well worth it to them, as they know they have an open line of communication with their Board of Directors.
“If you have a good relationship, you’re able to ask a question without going in and doing all of the formalities like scheduling a meeting,” Isabella shares. “You can just call them up and ask a question.”
Kent and Isabella Chism at a glance
Location: Galveston, Howard County, Ind.
Beginning: Kent grew up as the fifth generation on his family farm, joining full time after high school. Although Isabella didn’t grow up on a farm, she was quick to learn about the lifestyle. They used to raise hogs and cattle but shifted their focus solely to row crops in the 1980s.
Farm today: The Chisms split their operation about 50-50 between corn and soybeans, with some Plenish soybeans. They implement conservation tillage, pattern tiling and buffer strips while testing new technology such as ExactEmerge and drones for imaging. They are working to transition the farm to the next generation.
Family: The Chisms raised three children; Isabella stayed home while Kent was farming in the early days. Their kids are Chad and wife Hang, Beth Boxell and husband Josh, and Kristy Baker and husband Sam. They have 10 grandchildren.
Employees: Full-time employees are Josh and Beth Boxell, and Tim Robertson. Chad Chism helps during the busy seasons.
Leadership: Both have been involved with the Howard County Farm Bureau, with Kent currently serving as vice president. Isabella’s involvement extends to Indiana Farm Bureau, where she served as second vice president for 17 years, and now the American Farm Bureau Federation, where she is on the Foundation for Agriculture board, Trade Advisory Committee and Women’s Leadership Committee as chair. She is also on the Agriculture Council of America board and the Howard County Community Foundation board. Both were involved in the Howard County Extension board. Kent served on the Howard County Planning Commission.
Notable: The Chisms have hosted diplomats from 22 countries on their farm, believing the key to shaping policy and preserving U.S. agriculture is giving people a “peek behind the curtain.”