It's three o’clock in the morning on a bitterly cold January night with snow- and ice-covered ground in Clark County. Most folks are sleeping soundly at this time. But Marcus Wiseman isn't most folks. He's a farmer, and his only concern this night is to make sure the cattle on his family's farms are okay.

Over the last 24 hours, he is on his third watch counting momma cows and newborns that have been coming almost daily. Every calf that hits the ground represents money in the bank and the next month’s farm payment for Wiseman who has just purchased his very own farm for the first time.

“This is all I’ve ever really wanted to do having grown up on the family farm,” he said. “It’s a blessing for me and I was fortunate enough to buy a farm of my own in October 2023, finding the joys and challenges that go with it."

One of the hardships many young farmers face is finding available farmland to purchase. Wiseman was fortunate in that the family of former Clark County ag teacher Jack Wise decided to sell the farm after Wise’s passing.

“Mr. Wise wanted the farm to stay a farm, and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to buy it,” Wiseman said. “I grew up fishing on his farm, so I'd been on the property my whole life. The thought of being able to take care of his farm meant a lot to me.”

With his recent farm acquisition, Wiseman is adding to the tradition of the family farm’s cow/calf operation. 

"I'm going to start with about 15 mama cows on my farm and I have already purchased them," he said. "I just need to do a little work on the fences first."

Altogether, Wiseman, a fifth-generation farmer, manages several head of cattle on what he refers to as the circle of farms that are somewhat interconnected and make up the Wiseman operations, including his father's and grandfather's farms. 

“I like that I can now go to the back of my farm and look over the ridge and see my father’s and grandfather’s places,” he said.

Kentucky Farm Bureau First Vice President Shane Wiseman is Marcus’s father. He said having grown up on the family farm himself, he understands his son’s decision to go into the business fulltime.

“Farming gets into your blood and it’s as much about tradition as it is the effort you have to put into the farm,” he said. “I’m proud of what he’s doing, but I would be no matter what he chose to do in life.”

Marcus said his decision to make a living on the farm really wasn’t a decision at all.

“To me, it never really felt like a decision or a choice to make, I'm not sure what else I would do,” he said. “I love this place and this way of life. If it was a decision, for me, it was any easy one to make.”

While having the advantage of growing up in a farm family, Marcus was involved in FFA as a high school student and has been active in KFB, first in its youth programs, and now, as the newest member on his county KFB board.

“I kind of grew up in FFA with my father being an ag teacher and advisor, and it taught me a lot about leadership, especially when it came to public speaking,” he said.

Marcus was the 2018 KFB Outstanding Male Youth winner, something in which his public speaking knowledge served him well.

“I guess everybody gets nervous when the spotlight is on them, but when you're talking about something you believe in, it makes a difference,” he said. “And believing in what I spoke about during the Outstanding Youth competition made all the difference in the world. I had it. I knew it, and it was the truth.”

In much the same way as his farming experience is growing, so is his work as an agriculture advocate. There is a passion in his voice that can only come from someone who has lived the life of a farmer.

“In my opinion, the lack of knowledge is the biggest disadvantage we have right now in America with the agriculture industry,” he said. “People believe we don’t treat our animals well because of what they think they see as opposed to the actual situation. Or, they believe something on social media that just isn’t true.”

Because so many people are now generations removed from the farm, the advocacy part of being a farmer is more important now, than ever before. Marcus understands that and has a bit of a solution to help people understand farming as well as giving prospective farmers a look at what farm life is all about.

“I wish I could have people come spend a week with me, stay at my house to watch each day from start to finish,” he said. “Our cows get all the food they want to eat, all the minerals and nutrition they need, and see the doctor twice a year.”

Marcus admits he is fortunate to come from a farm family which has it advantages when it comes to running the farm.

“I’m blessed to have a family that supports my efforts to be on the farm,” he said. “My dad has been a role model for me, and I have a brother and sister who are always willing to help when I need it. And a grandfather I visit daily who has also been a tremendous influence in my life.”

One can see the emotion in Marcus when speaking of his family and the farm. He also readily admits when he loses a calf, he has to take a moment to reflect on what that animal would have meant to the farm.

“It hurts to lose one and that is one reason I’m out on the farm at all hours of the night to make sure they are safe and healthy,” he said. “I’m blessed to do what I do and I’m glad to share it with anyone. But if they really want to know what my life on the farm is like, they need to walk a mile in my boots.”