Jeff lived on the farm he now operates, while Joyce s family owned a meat-processing plant south of Ottawa. After college, the couple lived in the Kansas City area for about three years. Like their parents, however, the Castens didn t want to raise a family in town. They moved back to Osage County. They ve also raised four daughters.
Many uncertainties go along with farming income, weather, changing schedules.
Joyce believes she used to worry more about that during her first years on the farm. The Castens perspective changed when their third daughter, Janae, was found to have a brain tumor at age 3. Harvest was half-done when they had to take her to the hospital. Fortunately Janae recovered, and the family reaffirmed what was important to them family. Jeff enjoys the independence that is a part of farm life, but says agricultural production is changing at a fast pace.