Farmers Empowering Farmers
We offer the very best services in our field. We never settle for second best and always have your satisfaction as our top priority. It’s who we are!
About Us
what we do
The Amp’d Up Ag team is made up of farmers all across the Midwest and row crop states. The farmers we work with share knowledge and help one another succeed, which we realize doesn’t happen just everywhere. We attribute that to our culture.
From the beginning, we have said that this was not our business but rather God’s business. We give all the Glory to Him. We believe strongly in Freedom, our right to keep and bear arms, and the sanctity of human life.
Our priorities are this: Faith, Family, then Business.
20+ Years Experience
AIM & Goals
We are an independent, farm-based team skilled in creating tailor-made solutions to increase the profitability and efficiency of farms of any size. Our goal is to return the decision-making power back to the farmer by putting the farmer first and providing high-quality, easy-to-use products.
GOD’s Business
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to change the face of ag retail. We want to put the farmer first. That means more choices and less bias. Additionally, we want to help farmers identify and resolve the limiting factor in their operation. Above all, we give glory to God. This is HIS business.
Work With Us
POWERED BY INTEGRITY
We are a privately owned business with a team that is made up of independent farmers, and we aim to change the way traditional ag retail is done. We intend to do this so farmers get the right advice, products, and information to stay profitable and pass their farm on to the next generation!
Our Story
How it all began
While in college at Mizzou, Michael and Larna started searching for a way to come back home to the family farm in Middletown, Missouri. They both worked several internships. While they gained good experiences, their hearts still ached to be back home on the farm when they graduated. Both had grown up farming alongside family, being outside every day, and being an active part of their farms. In other words…cubicle life wasn’t quite for them.
In the fall of 2020 they attended an Agronomy meeting off campus held by A Better Way to Farm. They shared a vision with Michael and Larna. A way that they could come back home to the farm full-time while consulting with farmers to help them find the limiting factor in their operation. Michael, being the skeptical one, wanted to take time to think about it, but Larna may or may not have kicked him underneath the table, and they began working with the Better Way to Farm team to create their own business, called “Amp’d Up Ag”!
Amp’d Up Ag started as a way to create enough income through consulting and product sales to come back to the farm after college. But as they worked with farmers and saw how much of ag retail works, they became very frustrated with the industry.
Over and over they saw farmers being advised by their local supplier to apply more nutrients than required or not address basics like pH and micronutrients. Michael and Larna quickly saw a bigger vision for how they could help farmers. They wanted to help them break away from practices and advisors that didn’t make sense for their farm, save money on inputs, address limiting factors, and, most importantly, help farmers become their own agronomists!
Today the Amp’d Up Ag team is made up of farmers all across the Midwest and row crop states. The farmers we work with share knowledge and help one another succeed, which we realize doesn’t happen just everywhere. We attribute that to our culture.
LARNA'S Personal Journey
Michael and Larna started dating in high school after Larna’s dad, Herb, purchased Michael at the FFA labor Auction to fundraise for an FFA trip! When he came out to work the 4-6 hours of time he had donated, Herb assigned Michael and Larna to straw down the barn together. Neither one said a thing, and it was “the most awkward three hours of their life”! After Larna’s mom, Beth, invited them in for supper, they finally started talking (about farming, of course) and eventually began dating. Over the next several years they became best friends, enjoyed farming together, and started several businesses, including Amp’d Up Ag. After Michael graduated college, they got married in May of 2023!
Larna was riding along in the combine with her mom, Beth, when she was just a few months old. By three years old, she was bottling calves with her sister and helping dad scoop feed into buckets. That burning love for agriculture was ignited at a young age! Now in her early twenties, her roles include driving the spray truck, hauling grain with the semi, scooping bins, crop scouting, castrating calves, and anything else that needs to be done. Larna loves to be involved in agriculture.
She recently traveled to Harvard and met with global leaders to discuss the future of agriculture at their annual PAPSAC meeting. She is a current “Friend of Farm Foundation” and plays an important role speaking for next-generation farmers.
Larna often travels to advocate for farmers. Anyone who meets her can tell her heart is home on the farm. She continues to manage the fertilizer planning and intensive crop management on their family farm while running Amp’d Up Ag with Michael. A majority of her experience comes from time spent in the field crop scouting, tissue sampling, staging crops, and soil sampling. Larna is your go-to gal for writing fertility recommendations to outfitting planters with a liquid in-row system. She now trains other farmers on these topics through short-form videos such as TikTok and
Reels.
MICHAEL'S STORY
Michael grew up tagging along with his grandpa, who owned a custom spraying business back in the 1980s. After his grandpa passed away, he worked on and helped manage a large row crop farm. He often made seeding decisions, set equipment, drilled the beans, and harvested much of the crop. After high school Michael joined the operation at Schnitker Farms and became the main sprayer operator. We often tease that spraying must run in Michael’s veins! He responds with, “I just love watching weeds die.” Michael is very particular. He does not tolerate burnt waterways or “making a run for it” on the back side of the farm. His attention to detail and amazing knowledge of chemicals are what make our custom spray business such a success.
Although both Michael and Larna attended college and graduated with degrees in Plant Science and Agri-Business Management, much of their knowledge comes from hands on experience in the field. Michael has been the primary sprayer operator since 2019! He now helps train other sprayer operators because of his attention to detail (aka waterways) and incredible chemical knowledge. Michael knows his chemicals, fungicides, and insecticides like none other! He reads and researches constantly so he can be on top of every chemistry makeup.
Michael also has a seed background. Michael has been around a seed dealership and ran a seed treater since 2015. For any seed or seed treatment questions, he is the man!
Testimonials
What Customers Are Saying
"During the 2022 crop season, we noticed a 40bu difference on our cornfields that we used Feast XL on. Our foliar-fed corn never burnt up and remained healthy and green all through the growing season, which resulted in 200bu per acre, while our non-foliar-fed corn, which was on better dirt, struggled to make 160. Thankful to Michael and Larna’s guidance on making our crops more sustainable!”
Bill-Wellsville, MO
"Amp’d Up Ag was wonderful to work with. They were always responsive and helped walk me through implementing the AgroVantage System and learning to spray my own crops for the first time. They trained me to tissue sample and helped put agronomy within my reach, empowering me to make smarter decisions. In doing so, we had some of our best-ever yields during a drought year, even taking home a Missouri soybean district title in the no-till cover crop category. I would not hesitate to reach out to Amp’d Up Ag for your on-farm needs."
Travis Dixon 38 of Laddonia, Mo
"The AgroVantage program has allowed us to take full control of our fertility program without input from a COOP telling us we only needed 3 nutrients to grow our crop. This program gave us the tools we needed to find and correct nutrient deficiencies that we had by using both soil and tissue testing. It allowed us to improve the overall yield on one farm by nearly 40 bu./acre.”
Curt-Geneseo IL
Let's Connect!
CONTACT OUR Team
Your message is important to us, and we will respond promptly to address your needs.
Need More Information?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Amp’d Up Ag so popular?
Amp’d Up Ag has become a well-known name due to our dedication to agronomy services, a commitment that resonates deeply with farmers in the Central Midwest. Our expertise in agronomy services ensures that we provide comprehensive solutions tailored to each farm's unique needs. With our main location in Middletown, our team comprises farmers who understand the challenges of the agricultural industry. We empower our clients by sharing knowledge and fostering a community of support. Our focus on agronomy services includes cutting-edge techniques and products that enhance crop health and profitability. We prioritize integrity and transparency, putting farmers first and helping them become their own agronomists. By offering agronomy services without geographical restrictions, we ensure that each solution is customized, effective, and rooted in practicality. Our commitment to agronomy services not only provides immediate benefits but also fosters long-term relationships built on trust and success. Experience the difference with our top-tier agronomy services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your farming needs.
What types of services do you offer?
At Amp’d Up Ag, we offer a wide range of agronomy consulting services aimed at maximizing farm productivity. Our services include liquid fertilizer solutions, custom fertilizer application, and micronutrient fertilizer application. We also provide comprehensive soil and plant tissue testing to help identify and address limiting factors in your operation. Our goal is to offer farmers more choices and less bias, ensuring the best possible outcomes. If you're ready to explore the full range of services we offer, reach out to us today and discover how we can tailor solutions for your farm.
How does Amp’d Up Ag ensure profitable farming?
We focus on empowering farmers through knowledge and innovative agronomy practices. By customizing solutions that fit each individual farm's needs, we help reduce waste and increase efficiency. Our soil and plant tissue testing services pinpoint precise nutrient requirements, while our team of experienced farmers provides the insights and advice necessary to make informed decisions. Join the Amp’d Up Ag community and take the first step toward more profitable farming. Contact us to get started.
What is your approach to agronomy consulting?
Our approach is centered around empowering farmers to make the best decisions for their operations. With over 20 years of experience, we provide independent, unbiased advice that returns decision-making power to the farmer. We believe that by addressing each farm's unique challenges and emphasizing transparency and integrity, we can help farmers succeed and pass their farms on to the next generation. To see how our agronomy consulting can benefit your farm, reach out to us today.
Can you serve farmers outside the Central Midwest?
Yes, Amp’d Up Ag operates without geographical restrictions, offering our services to farmers beyond the Central Midwest. While our roots are here, our expertise in agronomy consulting services is available to anyone looking to optimize their agricultural practices. This flexibility allows us to deliver tailor-made solutions that meet the specific needs of farms in diverse locations. If you are interested in learning how we can support your farming operation, regardless of where you're located, contact us to discuss your needs.
