Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
Category: Uncategorized
-
Visiting a working ranch for the first time
Who knew that cattle would follow you around like dogs, and even lick your hands if you hold them out. You can tell their happy just by looking at them.
On my first trip out to Mar Fix’s cow / calf operation, I saw all of the different types of farming, from 10 acre microfarms to industrial scale food factories. And even more text here below.
Aaron Johnson is an organic producer south of Madison, South Dakota in Orland Township. He’s been farming since 2009 and is a third generation farmer. He farms on land that has been in the family since 1939. He sits outside his home on a hot September day with his wife Kirstin. His 89 year old father drives up and down a soybean field on a green John Deere tractor just across the street.
“I produce corn and soybeans, oats and alfalfa and stock cattle. Those are basically my five enterprises. Out of 560 acres, there’s about 400 acres of tillable land and 83 acres of pasture. I’m able to farm and raise cattle with my cousins,” said Aaron.
The Johnson Farm was built on the affinity for the land and the bond between family. “Working with my family is one of the best blessings I could think of. Of course we’re always gonna have some issues here and there, but those are just minor compared to what it’s like to work with family. We’re all in here for the greater good. And we look out for each other.”
Aaron gets choked up when he talks about the story behind the Johnson Family Farm and their transition to organic farming.
“We were the laughing stock of the county, this was before I was even born so I can’t imagine what they went through. Having to put up with being an outcast like that…and then now where we are today. I feel very fortunate.”
Switching from conventional to organic farming practices was challenging at first, but over time the Johnsons found their footing. “We’ve taken great advantage of using crop rotation to keep our fields very clean compared to any other operation. I feel our yields, and the quality of our grain, are second to none.”