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Deckerville Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan Farmer Expands Cropland Across State
Veteran no-tiller John Gough and son Andy grow corn, soybeans and wheat across three regions of Michigan to spread workload and weather risk.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:12am
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A farmer's tools and crops symbolize the strategic expansion of cropland across multiple regions.Deckerville TodayWhen John Gough's son Andy returned to the family farm in Deckerville, Michigan in 1998, they knew they needed to add more acres to their operation. Rather than get into a bidding war for local land, the Goughs looked farther afield, expanding their farming footprint to include parcels 40 miles west in Fairgrove and 210 miles northwest in Posen. This multi-location strategy allows them to grow corn, soybeans and wheat across different growing seasons, spreading out the workload and weather risk.
Why it matters
As farmland becomes more scarce and competitive in many regions, some farmers are looking to expand their operations by acquiring land in different geographic areas. This can help diversify their crop production and manage risks, but also introduces logistical challenges around equipment, labor and travel. The Goughs' approach highlights how innovative farmers are adapting to these pressures.
The details
Today, the Goughs' home-based operation in Deckerville covers 2,100 acres of corn and soybeans, plus 75 acres of wheat. Their Fairgrove location has 975 acres of corn and soybeans, while the Posen site grows 1,700 acres of soybeans and wheat. To manage the far-flung operation, they use a 30-foot John Deere 1890 air seeder with a tow-behind 1910 air cart, making the 420-mile round trip between Deckerville and Posen.
- In 1998, John Gough's son Andy returned to the family farm after college.
- Since then, the Goughs have steadily expanded their farmland footprint across Michigan.
The players
John Gough
A veteran no-tiller and strip-tiller who runs the family farm operation in Deckerville, Michigan.
Andy Gough
John Gough's son, who returned to the family farm in 1998 after college and has helped expand the operation across the state.
What they’re saying
“When Andy came back to the farm, we started looking for land farther away from home. We started with an additional 700 acres and it's just inched up from that. Then we found several parcels of land up at Posen and we've continued to add acres in that area.”
— John Gough, Farmer
The takeaway
By expanding their farming footprint across different regions of Michigan, the Goughs have found a way to grow their operation and manage risks without getting into a competitive bidding war for local land. Their multi-location strategy allows them to leverage different growing seasons and spread out the workload, demonstrating how innovative farmers are adapting to the challenges of limited farmland availability.
