Family tradition: TJ Kounkel is a third-generation trucker with award-winning Peterbilt

Jul 10, 2020 at 12:57 PM CST
MERRILL, Iowa — Farming and trucking are two professions that often run in families. TJ Kounkel’s family has a tradition of both. In addition to farming 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in northwest Iowa, his family operates a livestock-hauling business. Driving farm equipment and even trucks on the farm were just part of growing up for Kounkel. “I started driving at 18, driving intrastate. I know every road in Iowa,” he told The Trucker, adding that talking about himself isn’t easy for him. “I’m kind of boring,” he said. “When I’m not trucking, I stay busy with the farm. There’s always something to do.”

Jul 10, 2020 at 12:57 PM CST

MERRILL, Iowa — Farming and trucking are two professions that often run in families. TJ Kounkel’s family has a tradition of both. In addition to farming 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans in northwest Iowa, his family operates a livestock-hauling business. Driving farm equipment and even trucks on the farm were just part of growing up for Kounkel. “I started driving at 18, driving intrastate. I know every road in Iowa,” he told The Trucker, adding that talking about himself isn’t easy for him. “I’m kind of boring,” he said. “When I’m not trucking, I stay busy with the farm. There’s always something to do.”