-Submitted photo
The Chad meseck family accepts their Century Farm Awards at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

CHARTER OAK — Five generations of Mesecks have owned the land of their Century Farm near Charter Oak in Crawford County.

Henry Meseck purchased 40 acres of land on June 28, 1882, for $320 from the American Emigrant Company. He purchased another 80 acres on Sept. 27, 1883, for $480. Then in 1895, he purchased 160 acres for $6,400.

Chad Meseck grew up on the farm, and in 2022 he had the opportunity to purchase the land.

“I grew up on the farm across the road from the land I purchased,” said Meseck. “Growing up on the farm taught me the value of hard work, the importance of family, and it instilled in me the perseverance to overcome obstacles.”

While he was growing up, Meseck was involved in the many facets of farm life, including a farrow-to-finish swine operation, commercial cow-calf herd, and row crop farming.

On the farmland, they grew alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and rye. The animals raised on the farm included swine, cattle, chickens, rabbits, and horses.

“I spent many long, hot days mowing, baling, and pitching alfalfa,” added Meseck.

Since his childhood, some of the biggest changes he has seen are the new technologies, better efficiency, and decreased manual labor.

“The newer technologies have led to higher yield potentials, greatly affecting our bottom dollar,” said Meseck.

He goes on to say how farmers went from shelling corn from a crib to modern day combining.

“One of my first jobs on the farm was walking beans and pulling weeds by hand,” he said.

Being able to continue the legacy that his great-great-grandfather started in 1882 is incredibly meaningful to him.

“Farming has always been and continues to be my lifelong dream, and I am thankful that I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase my family’s ground in 2020,” said Meseck.

He hopes the Meseck legacy will continue after it is his time to sell the land.