For nearly 60 years, Mack Estes devoted his life to farming, starting with a family tradition that took root in his youth and growing into a career that he still finds hard to walk away from today. On his family farm off KY 144 in Daviess County, Estes reflected on a lifetime of cultivating crops, evolving technologies, and the farming community.
Estes’ agricultural journey began during his school years when his father gave him and his siblings their crops to tend.
“He gave us some crop for our labor,” Estes said. “That’s how we got started.”
From an early age, the farm became more than just work; it was a way of life.
After graduating high school in 1963, Estes formally joined the family operation, continuing the tradition.
“We didn’t own a lot of land. We rented from up to 28 landowners at one point,” he said. “It’s what I knew; it was a way to make a living,”
Over the years, the farm produced various crops, including tobacco, corn, and soybeans. Estes eventually phased out of the tobacco business and focused entirely on grains.
But the work was not without tragedy. He lost his brother, who was also his business partner, in a tragic tractor accident. Still, Estes continued the family legacy alone until his retirement just two years ago.
Reflecting on his years of experience, Estes discussed the evolving farming community, particularly the younger generation.
“The guys today are on top of things. They’re not afraid to try new things, like biologicals. And the technology – they pick it up fast,” he said. “You can put something new on a machine, and two years later, it’s already outdated. It’s a lot like giving a computer to a six-year-old; they’ll figure it out before you do.”
Estes acknowledged that farming remains a challenging way of life.
“It’s not easy,” he said. “The prices are terrible, and the costs keep going up. But it’s been like that my whole life.”
Despite the challenges, he believes that every industry faces its struggles.
Though retired, Estes admits that farming is something you can only partially step away from.
“I’m always watching what’s happening, seeing how people do things differently now. And that’s okay – our way isn’t always the best way,” he said.
He remains active in the community through Farm Bureau and considers his career choice to be rewarding.
“It’s hard work, but it’s a good life,” he said. “The community here supports farmers, and we all work together. I think the future is bright with the young farmers coming up – they have the tools and the knowledge to take agriculture to the next level.”
