---

Dillion Sparrgrove
Parents: Ryan and Breanne Sparrgrove; grandfather John Sparrgrove
West Union, Iowa
Fayette County
Owns 11 head of Holstein and Jersey; family milks 200 cows
Senior at North Fayette Valley High School
18 years old

Questions for John:

Tell us your favorite experience of Dillion helping with chores. I enjoy talking with Dillion while we work. Whether it is about sports, school activities, the farm or anything, we have great conversations while we work. I also appreciate that he will tackle a job independently.

What qualities does Dillion have that benefit the farm? Dillion is willing to help do anything. He knows what needs to be done and does it without being asked. Dillion is attentive to the cattle and is an excellent showman. He is fun to have around. His work ethic will get him far.

Questions for Dillion:

What are your responsibilities on the farm? Since I can remember, I have worked on the farm doing calf chores: feeding the baby calves, bedding, graining and cleaning pens. I have also helped by mixing feed and milking cows. I have also helped with fieldwork in the spring and fall.

When did you begin helping on the farm? I started working on the farm when I was about 7 years old. I started with bedding stalls in the barn when we still milked cows in the tiestall barn. I have always liked being around the cows and working with them whenever I could get the chance.

How do you balance school, extracurricular activities and farm chores? It’s not easy to find a balance in everything I do, but I somehow manage. I’m a three-sport athlete along with being a part of FFA and 4-H. I help with chores for two hours before I head off to school in the morning. When I get back home from school and sports, I usually still have two hours’ worth of chores to do when I get back. When I have to compete in school events, I really hate leaving my part of the work for someone else to do.

How has working on the farm shaped your character? Working on my family farm has made me the person I am today. It has taught me a good work ethic, how to communicate with others; it has taught me patience along with being able to adapt to different situations.

What do you love most about farm life? The thing I love most about working on the farm is all the time I get doing the things that I enjoy doing. I love the challenge that comes with farming as well because if there weren’t that challenge, everything would be boring. I like working with my show animals in the summer and taking them around to different shows because I get to meet new people and enjoy time at the fair.

What is one thing you have learned from working alongside your family? Working alongside my parents and grandparents has taught me that even though things don’t go your way, you still have to do them so that hopefully something good comes out of it. I have learned that farming isn’t for the faint of heart and is very time-consuming. I have learned what it takes to be a good person and how to treat other people along with how to better yourself on a daily basis.

What are your future plans? My future plans are to attend college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. I plan on majoring in agriculture business with a minor in dairy industry. After college and some time away from the farm, I hope to return to the farm and possibly take over the operations.

---