- We're standing next
to the Founders' Field
and it's part of our whole family farm,
where Bob and Stan and I all grew up.
- My father, Gary Vermeer,
had a real appreciation for work
and wanted us to have
that same appreciation.
So, I remember helping in the fields
with planting beans, planting corn.
- I also remember helping paint the barns.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the best job,
I had to scrape all the old paint off
(chuckles) but my brother,
Stan, got to do the painting.
- At that time, this was a farm
with cattle, pigs, chickens,
and we basically had to feed
those morning and evening.
- [Mary] Special memories of
growing up in a wholesome place
where we had jobs to do
and we had a great environment to live in.
- I think I remember, early,
Dad talking about the
large round hay baler
and also working with one of
his key engineers, Arnie Mapis.
- Having Dad talk about this new idea
of a machine that would
roll a big round bale,
which would weigh about a ton.
- [Bob] And I remember how excited Dad was
when they started taking
these balers to the field
and there would be hundreds of people
coming out to see this
new large hay baler.
- It's pretty exciting
that now we're really
dedicating these fields
to testing and to helping
develop new equipment.
- I really believe that Vermeer Corp
has a very exciting future.
I think we have a group of shareholders
that are very dedicated to Vermeer.
- [Mary] I think that's a, really,
opportunity for us to maintain
the connection with the farm,
very close to our manufacturing facility.
And now, Mindi Vanden Bosch,
as a third generation member,
is involved in working with
our great dealer organization
and continuing to help
it be the best it can be,
as well as working with the team
to figure out how to best use
these fields for our future.
(uplifting music)
(swooshes)
