Submitted by Kade Menold

My name is Kade Menold, and I am a senior at Sabetha High school. I am currently doing a PLE (Professional Learning Experience) for MAC Farms outside of Sabetha. My mentors are Christopher and Myreon Menold (the owners of MAC Farms). I get to leave school at 1:50 p.m. after the sixth hour every day, and the PLE time technically ends at 3:25 when school gets out but I still stay after and work like it is a regular job. Though my PLE placement at MAC Farms is only for the first semester due to the workload lessening, I am grateful for the time I have been able to spend with Chris and Myreon Menold. For the second semester, I am looking at another ag-related PLE placement.

I chose to PLE at MAC Farms because the business is made up of a great group of guys, and it is such an amazing environment. Also, Chris and Myreon are very knowledgeable in what they do and have helped me learn a lot about the farming industry. My job has been to run the grain cart in the fall during harvest season. After harvest, I will shred roadsides to make the fields look nice and clean. But sometimes I do a different job every day — I love that the jobs always change.

Working for MAC Farms has helped me gain a little experience and have a little taste for what I really want to do after I graduate, which is to do something in agriculture. My mentors have shown me what it takes to do what they do. Chris and Myreon are truly the best mentors ever! I appreciate them so much for what they have done for me. I am so thankful that I took advantage of the PLE option because I have learned so much from Chris and Myreon! They have influenced my decision to farm because I have observed what it takes to do the work, and I have really enjoyed my time there and what I do.