Meet the teen farmer balancing 300 acres, engineering dreams, and school leadership

BLOOMFIELD — Bloomfield High School senior Logan Williamson is not your run-of-the-mill 18-year-old.

Instead of filling his day with socialization or the traditional part-time job most high schoolers hold during their prep days, Williamson is hard at work in the field — from growing crops to spending countless hours on his tractor.

And it’s that innate work ethic that has culminated in being named the 2024 Outstanding Ag Student.

Williamson was caught off guard when he was notified of the recognition, unbeknownst to many rural teenagers.

“It makes me pretty proud of what I have accomplished,” he said. “It makes me recognize how far I have come; what I have achieved. I didn’t even know I was signed up for the award. It was kind of a surprise to me.”

Williamson has no idea who nominated him — which comments on the allure that surrounds the senior.

“It was a total surprise to me. The other day, my agriculture teacher told me. I don’t know much about it,” Williamson said.

The humility parallels Williamson’s upbringing. Working on the farm — and at times — his father’s farm, is all the senior knows, and has known for the past four years.

“I started farming about four years (ago) now,” Williamson said. “I started small, with about 15 acres. I have grown every year, and this past year, I had 300 acres of corn and beans and wheat. I also operate my own custom harvesting business to help pay for equipment. I have bought all of my own equipment. I use bank loans and other stuff to finance crops and equipment.”

There aren’t many 18-year-old entrepreneurs making waves, and Williamson is far from a one-trick pony as he was accepted to Southeast Missouri State University and will major in engineering.

In the future, farming will be a side hustle.

“Kind of a hobby,” Williamson said. “I plan on going into mechanical engineering. That is my future plan for now. I think I have my foot in the door pretty well in farming, so I can always fall back onto that.”

The business side of Williamson’s operation is innate, much like the craft, which aided in his selection as the most Outstanding Ag Student.

“I use USDA programs for covering crops, and that helps,” he said. “Agriculture plays a pretty large role in my life. That is what I do pretty much every day.”

For those who need help, Williamson is a phone call away, which also comments on his integrity and work ethic.

Said Williamson: “If it is not for myself, I help my dad on his farm. My boss, he also farms. I help him out when I am not helping my dad or working for myself.”

People inquire, and have inquired in the past, about Williamson’s drive, energy and integrity.

For Williams, the intangibles are foundational.

“I don’t know; people have asked me that before,” Williamson said of being asked about his work ethic. “I have always wanted to do this. It has driven me to take risks, and I have taken a lot of them, but I don’t regret any of it.”

If farming and his studies weren’t enough, Williamson is knee-deep in school activities: the high school robotics club (lead builder); percussion section leader for the high-school band; BETA Club, school treasurer, scholar bowl team and FFA.

“I just chase the stuff I enjoy doing,” he said.

Family is the backbone for Williamson, and his father, Jason, and mother, Tammy, have been a guiding force as Williamson continues to find his farming niche.

“My mom is a vet, and dad, he is all cattle; cattle and hay are all he does,” said Williamson. “He has been a big help getting me started out. He has helped me labor-wise. I borrow equipment from him, and I have gotten to the point where he borrows from me now.”