Agriculture and BNSF Railway go way back—since the 1800s, in fact. For generations, we’ve teamed up with farmers, producers, distributors, and everyone in between to keep America’s food and energy supply strong. So, it’s no surprise that many of our employees come from rural areas with deep ties to the industry.
Meet Tim Fanning, an engineering manager at BNSF. Tim grew up on a family farm in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. After high school, he spent 15 years working for a company that processed dried peas, lentils, feed barley, and wheat. His background in agriculture taught him valuable lessons he’s carried into his rail career.
For Tim, the biggest similarities between railroading and farming are the hard work and the deep respect for Mother Nature—both industries depend on adapting to her forces.
