July
CHASEBURG, Wis. — A local U.S. Marine Corps veteran was recently awarded a new Kubota tractor as part of a national initiative to support military veterans transitioning into agricultural careers.
Jeff Morrison, who served more than eight years in the Marine Corps, was selected as one of just five farmer veterans nationwide to receive equipment through Kubota’s 2026 “Geared to Give” program. During his military career, Morrison’s service included a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, a deployment to the Arabian Gulf with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and tours in Japan and South Korea.
About 18 months ago, Morrison transitioned to civilian life in agriculture. Today, he and his wife, Hailey, own and operate Bluff Country Ranch LLC, a 119-acre diversified, pasture-based livestock operation in Chaseburg. The ranch raises cattle, goats, and pasture-raised eggs, while also providing targeted grazing services.
The “Geared to Give” program is a partnership between Kubota Tractor Corporation and the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC) established in 2015 to honor veterans for their military service and the continued impact they make in their communities through farming. Morrison was chosen as the Midwest Division recipient from a pool of more than 700 applicants through the FVC’s Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund. Before receiving the tractor, he was recognized alongside the other four recipients during a special pre-race ceremony at Naval Base Coronado as part of the NASCAR San Diego Weekend in late June.
The gift of the Kubota M7060 utility tractor, provided completely free of charge, will help overcome major logistical hurdles for the young farmer. Morrison noted that the ranch currently has to buy and truck in all of its own hay and rely on borrowed or rented equipment.
“To be able to harvest our own hay, potentially put up our own hay, seed pastures … it opens a lot of doors for us in that aspect from our business,” Morrison said.
To qualify to receive the tractor from Kubota, Morrison had to submit a business plan. Morrison said he included in that plan his involvement with the Bad Axe Watershed Stewards, a producer led watershed group that is focused on farmer to farmer initiatives to increase conservation practices in the watershed. Morrison said he believes that work was part of the reason he was chosen by Kubota to be a recipient through this program.
Morrison also expressed a desire to use the equipment to give back to the neighbors who have supported his transition. “Ideally, though, this tractor is everywhere in the community,” he said. “The community is giving a lot to us, and we’re excited to give a lot back.”
The tractor was delivered to the ranch on July 8 by Cashton-based dealership Portland Implement. Brian Wang, the owner of Portland Implement, explained that while the FVC and Kubota handle the nomination and selection process, his team acts as the local support.
“I’m just an instrument to deliver the tractor and take care of the tractor,” Wang said.
Wang, whose dealership has carried Kubota equipment for over 25 years, praised the manufacturer’s commitment to the veteran program.
“They give away, I think, five pieces of equipment a year to their five sections in the United States, so this is just one, and it’s pretty cool to be a part of that,” Wang said. “Big company, good company to work with. Yeah, they really take care of you. They take care of their customers.”
Since its inception, the “Geared to Give” initiative has donated 56 pieces of equipment and provided more than $1.2 million in grants and support to the FVC to help veteran farmers succeed.
For Morrison, programs like this are vital for service members navigating the often-difficult return to civilian life.
“Having these groups, having these types of resources available, it means a lot for veterans and veteran communities,” Morrison said. “Veterans tend to fit right into agriculture, and we’d love to have any and all of them.”
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