Farming Strengths: How One Family Diversified Without Complicating Things

The Jones family farm in Palmyra, Ind., has been around for decades. When brothers Robert and Mark Jones exited the dairy business in 2003, they had to diversify their operation. They started building grain bins, which kickstarted a millwright side business that still operates today.

'We just learned along the way,' said Mark. 'That's just how it went. It's just nuts and bolts.'

Part of tapping into their strengths meant using their combined skill set to avoid hiring out for certain tasks. Robert is essentially a live-in mechanic, and Mark's sons, Logan and Casey, are following in his footsteps.

The family has also started raising popcorn again after not touching the crop since the early 1990s. It was a decision largely influenced by Preferred Popcorn's location just a mile away.