57 Years of Farm Management Tips from Brian Larson of Sunderman Farm Management
What does it take to build a lasting career in farm management? For Brian Larson, the answer is 57 years in the making.
Brian, now 87, joined Sunderman Farm Management Co. in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on March 10, 1969, the same year Richard Nixon took office, and while the Vietnam War was still raging overseas. More than half a century later, he still walks through the office door every single day. This experience has made him an example that other farm managers would do well to follow.
“While a lot has changed through the years, the basic service we provide is just the same,” Brian says.
That consistency is rare. And Brian’s farm management tips, gathered over nearly six decades, are worth paying attention to.
Above: This undated photo from the 1970s or early 1980s shows Brian Larson (left) with Roger Sunderman and his wife, Lyda. Roger Sunderman established Sunderman Farm Mgt. Co. in Fort Dodge in 1961. Brian began working with Roger and Lyda (who served as Sunderman Farm Mgt. Co.’s secretary) on March 10, 1969. Brian, who is celebrating 57 years with the company, continues to play a key role in the business.
From Soil Conservation to Farm Management: Brian’s Background
Before joining Sunderman Farm Management, Brian grew his foundation in the field. He began his agricultural career with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), the forerunner of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, in the early 1960s. He spent three years working in Webster County and six more in Humboldt County, developing expertise in conservation practices and agricultural tile drainage systems.
It was during his time with SCS in Humboldt County that Roger Sunderman stopped by one afternoon looking for Brian’s boss. The two struck up a conversation, and Roger saw something worth pursuing.
“He asked me, ‘Why don’t you go into farm management?'” Brian recalls.
After a follow-up meeting at the Hilltop Café in Humboldt, Brian said yes. He brought with him not just technical knowledge, but a conservation-first mindset that has shaped his approach to farm management ever since.
Today, Brian and the Sunderman team specialize in farm management, land sales, certified appraisals, and agricultural consulting for clients across the country.
4 Farm Management Tips from 57 Years of Experience
Effective farm management isn’t just about knowing the land. It’s about leading with purpose, serving clients with integrity, and committing to continuous growth. Here are four principles Brian has lived by throughout his career.
1) Grow Where You’re Planted
Understanding the land starts with being connected to it. Brian’s Norwegian grandfather, Ole Larson, arrived in Badger, Iowa, by train in 1898 with his three brothers. Together, they purchased a section of land in Badger Township. Brian grew up on a 115-acre, diversified farm southeast of Badger, alongside four siblings.
That deep-rooted relationship with the land shaped how Brian approaches farm management: with patience, perspective, and a genuine respect for the communities and families he serves.
Strong farm managers don’t just manage acres — they understand the history behind them.
2) Serve Others First
Service is at the heart of good farm management. As a member of the Badger Builders 4-H Club, Brian learned early that hard work and commitment pay off. He saved enough through his livestock projects to fund a year of college. During his senior year at Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1957, he joined the Iowa Air National Guard and served for several years.
The through-line from 4-H to the Guard to a 57-year career in farm management is his consistent orientation toward serving others. Farm managers who operate with that mindset build the kind of trust that keeps client relationships going for decades.
3) Care for the Land
Sustainable farm management begins with stewardship. Brian’s work with the Soil Conservation Service was more than a job; it was a philosophy. He approached every acre with an eye toward preserving productivity for future generations.
That commitment to conservation didn’t end when he joined Sunderman Farm Management. It became the foundation of his consulting work, particularly in ag tile drainage systems, which remain a critical component of farm management across the Midwest.
Modern farm management demands this same long-view thinking. As climate variability increases and regulatory expectations evolve, farm managers who prioritize land health are the ones best positioned to protect their clients’ investments over time.
4) Love What You Do
Work ethic and attitude are the two things every farm manager can control. Brian’s schedule reflects this belief. It’s not unusual for him to arrive at the office around 6 a.m. and stay until 7 p.m.
“Our success is built on great clients and team members who offer service that’s second to none,” Brian says.
That commitment has carried through generations. Brian is looking forward to his grandson, Isaac, joining the Sunderman team after graduating from Iowa State University this spring.
“We’re family here,” Brian says. It’s a phrase that captures the culture behind Sunderman Farm Management’s decades of client loyalty.
Why These Farm Management Tips Still Matter
The landscape of agriculture has changed dramatically since 1969. Technology, market conditions, and environmental pressures look nothing like they did when Brian first stepped into the world of farm management. And yet the fundamentals Brian has lived by of stewardship, service, hard work, and a genuine love for the land remain as relevant as ever.
Research from leading agricultural institutions consistently shows that the most effective farm managers are those who balance both leadership and management: setting a long-term vision while also handling the day-to-day efficiently. Brian Larson embodies both.
Whether you’re a landowner looking for a trusted partner or a young professional considering a career in farm management, Brian’s story is a reminder that this work, done well and with integrity, is a calling worth answering.
Work With Sunderman Farm Management
Brian and the Sunderman Farm Management team are here to help you meet your farmland management, ownership, and investment goals. With nearly six decades of trusted experience serving clients across the country, there’s no challenge they haven’t seen, and no client they won’t put first.
Contact Sunderman Farm Management today to learn how we can serve you.