Mike Lessiter

Mike Lessiter, a second-generation ag journalist, has been Editor/Publisher of Farm Equipment since 2004. He has covered business-to-business operations, manufacturing, and marketing topics since 1992 and has held various roles with the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn. and the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers. Mike is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was named president of Lessiter Media in 2007 and assumed the additional role of CEO of the Lessiter Media in 2026. He is also the founding president and director of the nonprofit group, the Conservation Ag Foundation, established in 2023.

Contact: mlessiter@lessitermedia.com

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Want to Reduce Your Land Rental Expenses?

Award-winning no-tiller Mike Starkey educates his tenants on how he’s caring for their land – and was ‘perfect from the line’ in getting rent reductions in this tough economy.

By Mike Lessiter posted on March 21, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Soil Health

Award-winning no-tiller Mike Starkey educates his tenants on how he’s caring for their land – and was ‘perfect from the line’ in getting rent reductions in this tough economy.

Yetter Manufacturing to Acquire Martin Industries

By Noah Newman and Mike Lessiter posted on February 5, 2026 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Western-Illinois based Yetter Manufacturing and Kentucky-based Martin Industries announced to dealers this week Yetter’s intent to acquire Martin, with a deal expected to close this quarter.

[Video] Inside the 39 North Ag Tech Innovation Hub

By Mike Lessiter posted on December 15, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Investing in Regenerative Ag

Dr. Rishi Masalia, program director, 39 North, takes us inside the ag tech and plant science innovation district in St. Louis. More than 35 growing ag tech companies call 39 North home, where farmers, scientists and innovators share ideas about cutting-edge equipment and technologies.

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Exclusive Video

‘1 Billion Microbes Per Milliliter’: TerraMax Tour Shows How Biologicals Are Made

By Mike Lessiter posted on December 3, 2025 | Posted in Product Innovations & Introductions, Seeding Practices, Ag Biologicals

Our editorial team got an up-close look at how biological products are produced during this exclusive tour of the TerraMax facility in Eagan, Minn. From research and development to quality control and manufacturing, Brian Kibble Kisely takes us behind the curtain for a fascinating look at the process.

Peggy Noonan on Work, Immigration Priorities

While standing up for ‘contributing’ immigrant labor, Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Nooonan shares gems on the long-forgotten ideals of work

By Mike Lessiter posted on August 4, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

While standing up for ‘contributing’ immigrant labor, Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Nooonan shares gems on the long-forgotten ideals of work.

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[Video] Cover Crop Strategies’ & No Till Farmer’s Meeting at DLF, Lacrosse, Wis.

By Mike Lessiter posted on June 16, 2025 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Ben Addington, marketing director for DLF North America, sits down to talk about all things cover crops with Lessiter Media president Mike Lessiter. DLF is a global seed company — the seventh-largest seed company in the world — that specializes in forage, turf grass, conservation seed, cover crops and wildlife seed across North America and across the globe.

Leading by Example: Indiana Landowner Sparks Conservation Change Beyond Her Own Fields

By Mike Lessiter posted on February 27, 2025 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag, Soil Health

Indiana landowner Mary Huber was an active participant in the February workshop, "Conversations in Conservation" spending the day at Starkey Farms before heading into town to teach 4-H kids.

Observations on ‘No Regrets’

Lessiter shares personal takeaways at the annual conference that pushes men to take stock of their lives – in business and in the home – and ‘to show up, step up & grow up.’

By Mike Lessiter posted on February 4, 2025

Lessiter shares personal takeaways at the annual conference that pushes men to take stock of their lives – in business and in the home – and ‘to show up, step up & grow up.’

Observations on Dad’s Calling

By Mike Lessiter posted on September 5, 2024

It’s a pleasure to introduce you to my dad, Frank Lessiter, and what I would call the 5th child in our family, his No-Till Farmer (NTF) publication. I was 3 years old when Dad put out the first edition, and I can’t recall a time when NTF wasn’t a part of the family.