Hello, and welcome to piece of the Open Fields blog! I am Amanda Kroll, one of the many country living Financial Services Officers who strive to serve your rural living needs.

I have been with GreenStone FCS since 2007 and serve customers in the Appleton, Wisconsin area. In my time here, I have had the opportunity to work hand in hand with recreational landowners, rural home buyers/owners, hobby farmers, and rural construction entrepreneurs to accomplish their financial goals. I am blessed to come to work every day to provide such a great service to people who love country living just like I do!

I grew up in lower Michigan on a small hobby farm, which included beef cattle, horses, sheep, and swine. During my younger years, I was involved in high school soccer, 4-H, FFA, rodeo, and other church and community activities. After high school I attended Michigan State University where I earned a degree in Animal Science.

My move to Wisconsin came when I took my first job as a field representative with Smithfield Beef Group headquartered in Green Bay. I later managed the Cattle Production Systems Group which gave me the opportunity to travel all over the country seeing different areas of rural America.

While I cheer for the Spartans over the Badgers, I have always been a diehard Packer fan. I understand that Michigan State University fans aren’t very popular in Wisconsin, so this helps my friends and family in Wisconsin to cut me a little slack!

I have to admit, when I moved to Wisconsin it was not my intention to stay here long-term, nor did I plan to be involved in a dairy farm rather than a beef operation! That all changed when I met my husband, Marty. He farms in partnership with his father and two brothers on a dairy farm located just outside of Green Bay. Marty and I are also owners of a small hobby farm where we raise dairy steers, turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and horses. We have two children, three-year-old Conner, and Joslyn who is one. In our spare time, you can find us working on the farm, camping, riding horses or four wheelers, playing sports, or spending time with our families.

I look forward to the opportunity to share some of my experiences with you and to reading your feedback. Thanks for stopping in; enjoy the day!