Meet Clint and Amy France

Clint and Amy France farm and ranch in western Kansas.  Along with their children, they are third-generation operators of their family farm and ranch. They grow wheat, grain sorghum, corn, soybeans and have black angus cattle. Over the past five years they’ve added chickens, bees, a greenhouse and started a pumpkin patch, which provides an opportunity for their kids to learn the basics of agriculture and business as they sell their products in the community.

In times of economic stress and climate fluctuation, Clint and Amy want their children to observe first-hand the importance of self-education in improving their farming practices. They feel that is critical for the children to understand that working the land and feeding our nation is a privilege as well as a responsibility. Their goal as a farming family is to demonstrate the importance of being better farmers, not bigger farmers.

The family loves trying new things, at home and while on the road! Some of their favorite recipes are good ol’ family recipes like roast and homemade noodles for Sunday lunch. Clint is an excellent cook and often treats the family to wonderful meals from the grill. They also enjoy traveling in their 5th-wheel. The furthest they’ve ever traveled was to Canada! Whether working or playing, they love to do it as a family!

They take seriously the job laid before them, as stewards of the land. Clint and Amy are committed to providing safe and healthy food for neighbors near and far as well as their own family. Clint and Amy are proud parents of five children, Caleb and his wife Kennedie, Madison, Delaney, Calli and Jury.  The France Family motto is Faith, Family, Farming!

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The France Family Farm Pumpkin Patch

Q&A

Why are you passionate about agriculture?

Plain and simple, agriculture is the reason we get up each morning. Many hardworking generations before sacrificed and worked tirelessly to pave the way for what we are lucky enough to do today. I love that I get to be a part of a long-standing tradition, but more precious than that is the tradition our children and grandchildren will carry on.

Not being a born and raised farmer gives me a unique perspective and wonder. Every day I watch our family go about their day and think nothing of the amazing things they mindlessly accomplish every day. While driving through a pasture of cows, they can easily identify sick ones with a glance. Or driving huge pieces of machinery through a field like they are driving a car. Farmers aren't able to see how extraordinary their everyday lives are. But as an outsider, I can. I'm passionate about agriculture because I want to share the story.

What's your favorite part of your job?

To be honest, my family drives the equipment, and I drive the desk. Sure, every once in a while, they call the backup to the backup to drive the grain cart or to help move equipment from one field to the next, but as our children get older, my time in the field gets less and

less. Everyone plays a vital role in a family farm, but not everyone drives the tractor! My favorite part is being the "on-looker ." Watching the eagerness build in my husband and family as we prepare for another planting or harvest season. The excitement as we drive

to the sale barn to see how the buyers receive our hard work and years of breeding in our herd. The weary bodies climb out of bed earlier in the morning to harvest another day of this year's crop because the crop won't cut itself. My favorite job is the inspiration I get from just watching my family and so many other farm families do what they love to do.

What brought you into your job? 

I grew up as a daughter of two music educators; I had never given much thought to agriculture until my husband. I now get to call myself a 3rd generation farmer. Until my father-in-law passed away in 2019, we had three generations working on our family farm.

Today my husband and I farm and ranch with our oldest son and get lots of extra help from our other four children on weekends and in the summertime.

When my husband and I were first married, I only did a little with the farm itself; I had an off-the-farm job at a local bank. When I left that job to help my husband fulltime, I discovered that there was a whole world of knowledge I needed to have—getting involved in different agricultural organizations, such as Farm Bureau and National Sorghum Producers, that gave me a place to learn and grow. Through these organizations, I've found another "job," advocating and bridging the gap between farmers/ranchers and consumers, and legislators.

What else would you like to share?

Challenges for farmers and ranchers have always been and will always be a part of their world. However, another constant is their passion. They are always looking forward to the next season, analyzing how they can improve, and working hard to see those changes happen. A farmer's passion is deeply rooted, and another trait passed on to each generation.

We certainly expect to see more challenges, but as a farmer and as a community, we've got to be diligent to keep encouraging that passion in ourselves and our neighbors.

It's an honor and privilege to be a part of an extraordinary ag community. We are a community, county, state, nation, and worldwide. As a community, we keep pushing forward to help others understand what we do, how we do it, and why we are so passionate about it!

When I'm not "at the desk farming" or away advocating, I love nothing more than hanging with friends and family. Clint and I have five children and two grandchildren, and we are blessed!