A large crowd gathered at Pella Golf and Country Club on Thursday night for the annual Van Gorp Edwards Insurance crop meeting.

The guest speaker was Steve Johnson, Farm and Agriculture Business Management Specialist from Iowa State University, and a Marion County native.

Johnson told KNIA/KRLS news, “I grew up on a family farm just south of Pleasantville, graduated from Pleasantville High School, and went to Iowa State a couple times, and got my B.S. and M.S. so I’m a Pleasantville native, I’m from Marion County.”

Johnson discussed crop market outlooks, including strategies and tools that local farmers should consider using to maximize their profits. He provided guidance for both old and new crop marketing of corn and soybeans to all that were present.

No matter the strategy farmers take, Johnson urged farmers to tie in crop insurance before the March 15 deadline.

“And tie in crop insurance, revenue protection, 80 to 85 percent level of coverage. Work with your crop insurance agent over the next few weeks. March 15 is the spring closing date for any changes you’re making in crop insurance,” added Johnson.