In most instances, taking over a few distressed pivots and accompanying rangeland in the middle of nowhere wouldn’t exactly be considered a good idea.

For Elar Jenkins of Tonopah, Nevada, it not only made sense, it has become one of the most productive forage businesses in the state. He will be the first one to tell you, however, it hasn’t come without a lot of trials and help from a supportive family.

“Alex, I sent an e-mail to the senator like you’ve been bugging me to do. It won’t do any good but maybe it will get you off my back.”

This was the communication Alex McGregor received from one of his grower colleagues awhile back. Three weeks later the senator in question called Alex and asked him to help him get permission from this grower and others to quote them in testimony before the full Senate of the U.S. on an important matter pertaining to that year’s farm legislation.