2025 20 Under 40 Farmer
About
As a young farmer from Marseilles, Illinois, Tom Hill carries on the legacy started by his grandparents over 60 years ago. Together with his brother, Tom grows crops, and runs a seed, fertilizer, and chemical business that supports local growers. He has embraced practices like strip till and precision technology to improve efficiency and sustainability on the farm. Tom believes he was inspired most by his dad and grandpa, because he had the opportunity to be on the farm with them at just six years old, and because of this he grew to love farming. “I loved going to work, you know, other people might dread going to work. But, when you love your job it’s just not that way”, Tom says. For Tom, leadership means learning from past generations, while helping teach others, from neighbors to fellow farmers, and ensuring agriculture remains strong in the future. He believes that while markets may change, one thing never will – hard work, the foundation of farming and family tradition.