By FRED KRONER
Brian Waibel was raised on a grain and livestock farm outside of Forrest, about 40 miles north of Mahomet, and has parlayed that agricultural background into his livelihood.
He still helps his brother, Nathan, farm the family’s nearly 470-acre tract, but much of the Mahomet resident’s time is devoted to Waibel Farmland Services, Inc.
Waibel Farmland Services, Inc., which was opened in September, 2013, was recognized by the Mahomet Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday (Feb. 4) as the community’s Small Business of the Year.
The recognition took place during an online presentation.
Waibel’s business is the epitome of a small business. The employees besides Brian Waibel are his wife, Wendy – who grew up on a farm near Fairbury – and their son, Seth.
He recognizes how blessed he is personally and professionally.
“Seth joining the business and the privilege of working together as a family is a blessing that we don’t want to overlook,” Brian Waibel said.
Before making a career shift, Brian Waibel had more than a quarter of a century in the banking industry.
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1986, he started at Champaign National Bank as a farm manager and rural appraiser.
He worked there for 27 years, through several mergers and name changes. The job kept him in touch with his roots.
“My employment there was an opportunity to work for and with many wonderful farmland owners, farmers and co-workers,” Waibel said.
He was able to complete his picture by working on the family farm in Livingston County.
“It is always good to experience first-hand what the farmers I work with (at the bank) are experiencing.”
Venturing out on his own was not a decision easily made.
“It was a step of faith into self-employment,” Waibel said.
He opened his business in September, 2013 in Mahomet, where he and his family had moved in 1994, after leaving Champaign when their oldest daughter was starting school.
“Since moving to Mahomet, we’ve always appreciated the small-town feel,” Waibel said, “so we wanted to establish our business here.”
His initial location was on Main Street, across from the post office. In May, 2017, the Waibels purchased a building a block to the east, on Lincoln Street.
In January, 2018, after a complete remodel, they transitioned to their current location, 107 S. Lincoln St. Brent Young, from Daniel One Inc., was responsible for the makeover.
“It was a nice opportunity to restore an older building with a lot of character and history,” Waibel said. “Many other businesses have made upgrades downtown in recent years also, so it has been neat to be part of those improvements.”
Waibel Farmland Services Inc., offers a variety of services and has experienced growth in all facets of its operations since opening its doors more than seven years ago.
“Our business provides professional property management, brokerage and appraisal services to farmland owners in east central Illinois,” Waibel said. “As farm managers, we strive to fulfill the landowner’s objectives for their farmland ownership in the leasing, production and financial decision-making for the farm.”
The company’s services are needed beyond the preparation for a new planting season.
“Buying or selling a farm is usually a major financial decision,” Waibel said, “so as real estate brokers, we represent our client in all aspects of the transaction, such as market trends and price expectations, methods of sale, advertising and the actual sale process.
“Farmland appraisals are often needed to establish an estate value or perhaps in advance of a sale.”
While the coronavirus pandemic waylaid many businesses in 2020, the effects were minimal for Waibel.
“We were classified as an ‘essential business,’ and of course, a significant part of our work is outdoors, which gave some freedom from COVID concerns,” Waibel said.
He didn’t take for granted the opportunity to remain open throughout the months of heavy restrictions.
“In our mind, nearly every business is essential,” Waibel said. “Our hearts have gone out to the many small business owners as well as employees and others whose lives have been upended by what we’ve experienced this past year.
“Our thoughts this year have been more focused on the challenges that many have faced with impacts from COVID-19.”
Even so, it wasn’t always business as usual for Waibel Farmland Services Inc.
“It definitely reduced the number of personal meetings we’ve had with clients, farmers and others,” Waibel said.
Some of the difficulties Waibel faced with his business during the height of the pandemic were beyond his control, but many of those trends have now reversed themselves.
“Significant financial impact with the sharp decline in commodity prices from March into early fall,” he noted, referring to the biggest challenge. “Fortunately, prices have more than fully recovered due to a combination of world-wide supply-and-demand factors.”
In his own business, Waibel has faced challenges in areas such as technology along with the demands of being available for farm work when the weather allows for planting and harvesting.
“It adds a busy-ness to that time frame,” he said, “but with internet access on mobile devices and, of course, good old-fashioned phone calls, it is all workable.
“Since Nathan and I both have full-time, off-farm employment, we are very respectful of each other’s schedules in that regard.”
Unlike some businesses, which serve the same customers very infrequently, Waibel gets to work with many repeat customers year after year.
“Relationships with people would top the list of highlights,” he said. “Many of our farm management relationships are long-term and often multi-generational, which has led to special friendships.
“And although the landowner is typically our ‘client,’ we strive to develop good working relationships with the farmers of the land we manage.
“We may be a little biased, but we believe farmers and farmland owners with a connection to the land are some of the best people in the world.”
At times, Waibel is able to be a voice of reason and reassurance.
“Several of the farms we manage are jointly owned by multiple family members,” he said. “It is very satisfying to serve as an independent third party and bring peace where there may otherwise be disagreement.”
Waibel said the goals for his company are long-term and stable, and he always keeps them in mind.
“Our primary goal is to provide exceptional customer service to our clients,” he said. “Another fundamental goal is stewardship of what has been entrusted to us, both in terms of caring for our client’s assets as well as the productive land God has created.
“Proper care of the land we manage has led to a growing interest in regenerative cropping systems that focus on cover crops and soil health.”
Being recognized by the Chamber was an unexpected honor.
“It is humbling to even be considered,” Waibel said. “Being in a service business is a constant reminder of our higher calling to serve Jesus, our Lord and Savior, which is manifest by serving others.
“It would be our hope that any honor is reflected to Him, along with our clients, farmers and agribusiness associates, with whom we’ve had the privilege of working.”
Brian and Wendy Waibel, who are both University of Illinois graduates, have been married for 32 years and have four children and six grandchildren.
Other finalists for Small Business of the Year were Brad Blumenshine Remax (The Remax Collection) and Core Concept.
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Mahomet Area
Chamber of Commerce
Annual Recognition Awards
Overall Business of the Year – Greg Collins, Mahomet Car Connection
Small Business of the Year – Bran Waibel, Waibel Farmland Services
Food Service of the Year – Satesha Patel and Paul Patel, Subway (two locations)
Startup Business of the Year – Craig Bliss, illini360
Health and Wellness Business of the Year – Kathleen El Koury, Insight Therapy
Volunteer of the Year – Mike McDermith
Community Servant of the Year – Jackie Butler, It Takes A Village
NOTE: Each business or individual will be profiled separately within the next week.
