About Us
BJK Farms is a family operation, based in Vinton, Iowa since 2007. We offer purebred Hereford cattle, custom beef, and hay and straw. We are proud and blessed to carry on a profession that has been in our family for five generations! Our mission is to farm and live in a way that pleases God and will allow future generations to live off the land.
The BJK in BJK Farms stands for Brian and Jennifer Kreutner.
Corn, soybeans, oats, straw, hay, and permanent pasture blanket our farm in the gently rolling landscape of Benton County. We use new technologies such as GPS guidance and auto-steer, but also keep many traditional practices such as baling small square hay and straw bales, walking beans, and picking ear corn.
Our family owns most of the land we farm. Brian’s father, Gerald Kreutner, and uncle, Carl Meyer, are intricate parts of the operation. They provide guidance and mentorship along with additional labor during key times of growing season. BJK Farms is truly a family operation.
BJK Herefords
Since 2007, Brian and Jennifer have been building a herd of purebred Hereford cattle. A love of Herefords runs in the family; Brian’s father Gerald Kreutner and grandfather William Kreutner Sr. raised and bred Hereford cattle beginning the 1930s.
Brian with a 4-H heifer circa 1984
Over the years our herd has grown to over 45 purebred cows. We raise about 15 heifers and 8-10 bull calves each year to keep and sell.
Our Family
As a young man, Brian actively participated in 4-H and FFA. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Studies with a minor in Agronomy from Iowa State University. Then, he worked for 12 years in the agronomy field before bringing his family back to the farm he grew up on.
Jennifer grew up on a farm near Ames, Iowa. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Iowa State University, where she also joined the marching and pep bands. She now manages the office and assists on the farm when needed.
The Kreutners’ three children are all in college or graduated. Their oldest daughter, Sarah, attended Iowa State and graduated in 2019. She lives in Ames and works as a User Experience Designer, and is also our webmaster. Son Jonathon graduated from Iowa State University in Fall 2023, with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Sophia attends Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids and plays softball for the Kirkwood Eagles. The Kreutners are active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton.