On the way to one of the stations spread across his farmland, we pass a path left by a small tornado. Debris is scattered across the fields, and workers are repairing a downed power line. It’s springtime in Jackson, Missouri.

"That’s one of the challenges we face here," says Tory Meyr at the wheel of his pickup truck. The farming profession has always been complex in the vastness of Missouri, which is often referred to as the "breadbasket" of the USA. Especially the Great Plains, which stretch across the state – they are a renowned agricultural region for growing grain and other crops.

When Tory Meyr took over the farm from his father, which his family has worked for four generations, he chose to make changes that affect not just the daily work in the fields, but life itself.

The concept of work-life balance is important to him – the ability to reconcile a demanding job with family life. A generation before him might have laughed at a term like "work-life balance" – but Tory Meyr stands by it. Family cohesion, his two sons – whose basketball team he coaches in his free time – and his involvement in church are essential parts of his life.

The type of farming he experienced with his father and brothers has changed dramatically. "It’s a whole different world," says Meyr. Technological advances in seed and equipment continue to progress. Those who stay in their comfort zone lose out. "You just can’t get complacent in this business," Meyr says. "Things will pass you by."

Bayer plays an important role in a business that he refers to as a "game" – from sowing to harvest. A game full of uncertainty: whether what’s invested at the beginning of a season will pay off in the end. "There are other good companies, too. But I think Bayer has done the best job for my farm and helped me grow and become more efficient."

What drives him is also the desire to care for the land entrusted to him. Like a steward, a guardian. "I want to leave the Earth in the same or better condition than I found it," says Meyr.