Faces of Farming: Caleb Middleton

It’s no secret that custom application is becoming more complex every year, requiring additional training and attention to detail from operators to ensure the job is done correctly.

That’s why MFA Incorporated recognizes the hard work and dedication of custom applicators and spotlights those who go above and beyond in their work. The annual “Applicator of the Year” award program seeks nominations from throughout MFA’s trade territory, considering the operator’s customer service and quality of application, what makes the operator stand out as a true professional, and how the operator enriches the community. 

Out of 27 nominations this year, one of two awards went to Caleb Middleton, a custom applicator from MFA Agri Services in Clark, Mo. The location’s manager, Bryan Truesdell, who nominated Middleton for the award, spoke highly of his professionalism and customer service, noting that “he is self-motivated and takes pride in the services he provides.” Truesdell also said that Middleton is true team player and is always willing to volunteer the extra time to finish a job. 

Middleton, who has worked for MFA since 2012, was recognized on Feb. 18 at the company’s annual applicator training. Here’s what he told Today’s Farmer about how it feels to win and his approach to the job.

Why do you think you stood out among the nominations? 
For me, I just try to do this job as well as I can. I don’t know that I did any better than the rest of those guys did. I’m sure if they were nominated, they were all good at what they do. After more than a decade as an applicator, I like to think I’m pretty professional and know what I’m doing. And if Bryan nominated me, he must think that, too. But it is nice to be recognized and hear you’re doing a good job. 

How do you make sure you do a good job?
Sometimes, all it comes down to making a three-minute phone call before any problems happen. For example, if you get to a field, and you’re not sure what’s supposed to be there, just call somebody. Call your boss. Call the guy you’re working for. I’ve called a lot of guys and said many times, “I’d rather you be annoyed with me because I called you rather than you think I’m incompetent and then prove it to you by doing the job wrong.”

Why is it important that you get it right? 
You’re not just working for MFA; you are selling your own good name. If you start doing things wrong, people will not want you to come back. Then, when they call your manager and want something done, they’ll say, “Send somebody else” or call another location. I try to show people that I know what I’m doing, I can do it effectively, and I can do it well. 

What advice do you have for new applicators? 
For the most part, spreading fertilizer is easy—you just drive. But some of the small, nuanced things are really important, like double-checking the math on your rates and acreage. If I’m five acres short when I finish a wheat field, there’s no hiding it. As it starts to grow, one pass will be dark green, another pass will be light green, and everybody’s going to drive by and think, “What did you do?” If it’s somewhere you’ve never been before, are you sure it’s 40 acres, 15 acres, 100 acres?  And even then, give the guy an extra acre or acre and a half, even if it’s too much, and you don’t need it. At least then you didn’t run short and leave a skip. Sometimes it just behooves you to give a little extra or go the extra mile. 

What do you enjoy about being a custom applicator?
It’s not always a fun job. It gets a little monotonous, and there are a lot of long hours. But I’d much rather be in this spreader, going places, than stuck in an office or the warehouse or the elevator. I get to go all over mid-Missouri, I have four windows, and I get to see whatever I want all day long. I also like having autonomy. In a way, I get to be my own boss. Yes, I still have to do what Bryan wants me to do, but after all these years, he’s confident I know how to get it done. I tell him, “Just tell me what you want to do, and I’ll figure out how we’re going to do it.”    

***

CLICK HERE for more articles from this April/May Today's Farmer>

CLICK to view this article as printed.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CROP-TRAK

CLICK HERE to learn more about positions available at MFA as a custom applicator.

CLICK HERE to learn about two unique one-year training programs to become an high-tech custom applicator.