By Barb Baylor Anderson
Progressive Farmer Contributing Editor

Marcus Hess may not fit the mold of a typical young farmer. The 30-year-old Bushnell, Ill., native mixes his time on the tractor with time spent trading commodities in Chicago. He says it helps his farming business thrive through more solid marketing strategies. Hess believes it doesn’t take his unique background for any young farmer to put together a marketing plan that can help limit risk and maximize sales opportunities.

“I may be able to do more than the normal, on-farm hedger,” he admits. Hess has been an options trader with Infinium ...