5 Things I learned from the Michigan Young Farmer Leaders Conference

Visiting the Traverse City Coast Guard with Michigan Farm Bureau (Photo Credit: Michigan Farm Bureau)

Over the weekend I attended the Michigan Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Leaders Conference.  These types of conferences are pretty general when it comes to farming information; instead the focus is on leadership, business, marketing, and personal development for farmers age 18-35.   Roughly 300 farmers attend the event each year, for a weekend of learning and networking.  Coming away from the conference this year I have five "bits of wisdom" to share, along with one personal story.

5. Farming is a family affair.  I have been to a few professional conferences by now, and I have never been to any conference besides a farming one where husbands, wives, and children are all learning together.  Sitting at a random lunch table, Every person at the table asks about the spouse and children of the person next to them (if they aren't also at the table).  It's not just to be polite, it is genuine interest.  Each year attending the conference I make more connections, talk to more people, and I learn more about the different farm families.  Farms are family businesses, even if one or more people in the family don't work on the farm as their full time job.

4. We want acceptance.  A big topic of any farming conference now is how to talk to people about farming.  Farmers are trusted, but farming as an industry is not.  People are so far removed from what farming is, and they tend to be more than skeptical about many farming practices.  Speaker Michele Payn-Knoper pulled many people out of the audience and asked them if they think communicating directly with consumers is important; all of them answered yes.  When she then asked if they would go home and start talking to people, most of the farmers said they weren't sure.  This isn't something farmers want to do.  It is scary to start a conversation with someone you don't know about your business. It is awful to put yourself out there and have somebody tear you down because they don't like the decisions you have made on your farm, decisions that 100% were made with the best intentions regarding, health, safety, and yes, our personal farm profitability.  Keeping the farm going is what keeps our families going.  We want to share our stories with the world, but we want to find people accepting and willing to listen; the same things we need to be when people do come to us.

3. Size doesn't matter. Farms of all shapes and sizes are important to filling the food demands.  Large farms and small farms have benefits for consumers, and both are needed in order to give people the options they are looking for. Conventional, organic, and local all have a place at the table.  Almost every industry has businesses operating under all different types of models.  Those differences give consumers choices.  It isn't about who is "just in it for the money." I don't know a single farmer who is farming just for a paycheck.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone to have a career or a lifestyle where they can't fully exercise their passion.

2. People are the most important.  Food isn't really about just filling our bodies.  For many of us, the dinner table is a time for connection.  We get together and have large meals with our families.  We care about what we put in because we want to get the best out.  Even though the conversations about food can be uncomfortable, I need to listen and participate.  It isn't about raising corn, wheat, cows, chickens, vegetables, or fruits.  It's about providing for our families and bringing people together.  I feel that the pigs we raise on our farm are the best thing that I can give my own family, and I need consumers to feel the same way.  If it isn't good for both of us, then it's not going to be sustainable.

1. We need to define ourselves by what we can do and don't let what we can't do stop us.  This final point is where things start to get a bit personal, and maybe that is why it is resonating with me more than any other part of the conference.  The keynote speaker, Steve Gilliland, did his talk on how to move through life with purpose, passion, and pride.  He mentioned if we focus on what we can't do, there will be many things that stand in our way- including other people who will try to define who we are.  Steve instead directed us to put effort into developing what we can do, in order to find happiness and success.

Mathieu after finishing his first Au Sable River Canoe Marathon (Photo Credit: Caleb Casey)

Now for the personal part. I don't usually put much on here about what I do outside of farming, so for those of you that don't know, I spend quite a bit of my free time marathon canoe racing.  Like the farming community (although considerably smaller), the paddling community is small and tight knit.  On Friday, Mathieu- French Canadian paddler and a friend was involved in a terrible logging accident (he is a lumberjack).  By the time I was sitting in the conference on Sunday, he had learned that he would probably live the rest of his life unable to walk. This is devastating news for anyone, especially so for someone as young and active as Mathieu.  As I was sitting in the crowd listening to Steve speak, I could only think how Mathieu's life is going to change, and how he will need to focus on the positive things that he can do in order to find happiness.

The paddlers have really rallied around Mathieu and his family in the last few days, and have started a collection in order to help with his expenses on the road to recovery.  While maybe this won't matter to any of my readers, if you feel like helping him out on his journey, visit http://www.gofundme.com/mzf674 and make a donation.  Every little bit helps, and this is something that we all can do.

New Year, New Office, New Plan

Big and exciting things have happened on the farm this week.... our office addition is ready for move-in!!  In April of last year we decided to expand the office (there were more people than desks) and after all of the delays due to rain on foundation pouring days, harvest, illnesses, hunting season, and all the other things that can go wrong on a construction project, we are finally starting to get settled.  The window trim still needs to go up, and a few other odds and ends, but I now have my own desk to work at, so I am not complaining.

(My new desk, complete with a kitty house... not quite put away yet)

The other big project I personally have been working on is the siting plan for our new inside gestation barn we are hoping to put up this spring.  Friday I was able to send the plan into the state, and it was so relieving to have that project off of my shoulders.  For anyone unfamiliar with the siting requirements in Michigan, livestock farmers have a set of guidelines for building a new livestock facility, or expanding an old one.  We are actually reducing the number of animals on the farm, but the siting plan process is a really thorough way to check for potential problems.  The plan must include all items off of a 4 page checklist (and it's really tiny print!) in order for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to review the request and approve the site.

(Siting plan complete!)

When making the plan, I have to figure out what the impact of the building will be on the land as far as erosion, soil types, nutrient analysis, and possible crop farming uses.  I then review the impact on the watershed, wetlands, rivers, streams, drains, storm waters, and well records and maps.  Odor and manure management make up about half of the plan requirements, with a wind odor print taken to make sure the barn won't create too much stink for the neighbors ("too much"  is odor that can be smelled more than 5% of the time, or 18 days a year).  In the manure management portion, I look at the amount of farmland we have to utilize the manure as fertilizer, and see if the new facility can work into our system,  This is one of the most important parts of the plan for the farm to use.  I also submit an engineer's blueprint and a outline of current utilities on the property, so MDARD can analyze construction plans and placement decisions.  I work with the local zoning officials in the township to figure out further permitting that I will need.

This isn't just something for hog farms, but any livestock farms.  It isn't optional.  It is a lot of work, but it gives farmers protection and shows that we are following the rules.  It gives us guidelines for working with neighbors. We are doing our homework, checking our lists, and having conversations about conservation and our environment.

6 takeaways from the Great Lakes Crop Summit

(Sign Welcoming Farmers to the Great Lakes Crop Summit in Mt. Pleasant, MI)

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Great Lakes Crop Summit.  It is nice to have such a well run cropping event so close to home.  After listening to a dozen or so speakers over the two days of sessions, I gathered up a few key points.

1. Export markets are there, and they are important.  If grain marketing at most farms in anything like it is on my farm, we just work with our local elevator.  That isn't the worst thing to do, but being aware of the international trade climate, and of the other ways you market grain (at a premium), can really help crop farmers manage their risk.

2. We have to be business smart to farm smart.   Farmers are always proud of the fact that we farm out of love for the land.  We also tend to be slow to change or adapt.  By treating downturn years the same way as high profit years, we are really shooting ourselves in the foot.

3. Soybeans have a lot of unrealized potential.  In Michigan, soybeans are more of a rotational crop, not the main money maker.  The Great Lakes Crop Summit made me realize that we are giving up potential on soybeans just because we don't make them a priority.  Some of the things we can do with soybeans don't even take more time or money, it's just applying effort at the right time instead of whenever its convenient around corn.

4. New to cover crops? Get Help! After listening to multiple sessions on cover crops and vertical tillage, my biggest takeaway is don't go it alone.  Many things in crop farming are trial and error, but investing $25-45/ acre, or thousands in new equipment isn't something you should do without working with someone who has experience.  This will save a lot of trouble down the road.

5. Customer connection is key.  This is true in all parts of business, and not always something we think of first in agriculture.  Traceability is something that is gaining importance everyday with consumers.  Delivering a product tailored to our clients will result in better relationships, and a healthy pocketbook.

6. Manage your risk.  What happens when you have an accident on the farm?   How prepared are you to handle it?  This isn't just about insurance, but also about knowing what you should be doing before the accidents happen to protect yourself.  Working with your lawyer, your accountant, and your insurance agent to best guard yourself against potential harms will leave you feeling confident and prepared to handle any situation.

The Farming Tradition

A couple of months ago, I was contacted to speak out my local township watch meeting.  Our township has a local business owner, resident, or expert give a presentation each month about something going on in our community.  The township decided to have me come to speak about my family farm.  I was not really looking forward to the presentation, but I knew it is an important opportunity to be in the community, and create a dialogue with my neighbors.  I am not necessarily afraid of public speaking, but I am always nervous that I won't be as prepared as I should be.

My grandparents are part of the township watch, and were very excited to have my speak to the group.  Grandpa used to be the master of the slideshow, always eager to show off the accomplishments he has made on the farm.  Now he has passed the task on to me, and while I have changed the show a little bit, I still like to use many of his old slides.

The farm just after Grandpa and Grandpa fixed it up in 1975.  

I think it is a little different now than it used to be when Grandpa did his presentations.  He always boasted about the new technology, the mechanization, and the expansion of the farm.  He is proud that our business was able to grow from one barn in his backyard, into one of the more successful farms in the state.  I am always a little bit apprehensive showing off our business acumen, since most people would rather believe that everything was still in the backyard.  I put more emphasis on community, and public works, and not quite so much on the hogs.  The audience has changed, from neighborhood farmers, to just neighbors.  They still have to put up with the big machinery, the funny smells, and occasional pig escapes, but they don't always see it as an economic or community benefit that our neighbors used to see. 

My presentation went fine, and I was able to meet some more faces in my community, answer a few questions, and even invite some people out for a farm tour.  Our door is always open to our neighbors, they just have to ask. People seemed pretty engaged, and were definitely excited about things we are doing to manage our environmental impact, as well as improve our animal care. We are proud of the farm, just as Grandpa and Grandma are, and we want to show people that we can be a big farm and a good neighbor.  

The most surprising thing of the whole evening,  was when the neighbor smack-dab in the middle of our farmland raised his hand and commented to the whole group, that he had never known a more caring family or business in the community, than our farm family.  He couldn't imagine having better neighbors, or a business that chose to do more for the people that supported it.  He was pleased with our animal care, and our manure management, as well as our scholarships, school trip funding, and Christmas hams.  He was glad to see that our family tradition was continuing on to the next generation, and  I think Grandpa and Grandma were most proud of that.  

An Anomaly: the Agriculture Optimist

Happy New Year!  It's finally getting cold around the farm and while we don't have snow right now, we are running into the typical winter problems with housing the sows outside.  Putting straw in the sow huts outside is a weekly activity, and frozen water bowls are something to look out for.  Friday we had a breaker that kept blowing and shutting off the water bowl heater, so Dad and I went over to thaw one it out (Dad did most of the fixing, I was emotional support).  The sows were sure happy to see us!

(The orange juice container had hot water to thaw the frozen heaters. The mud is from the Michigan freeze/thaw winter.)

While we were out fixing heaters, I was really enjoying my day.  I love going around the farm and looking at things.  I love seeing the people and the animals.  I love actually being able to see the difference we make every day.  Most of my friends don't have jobs where they get to see the whole supply chain of their industry.  I get to see the pigs from birth to market (and even into bacon or ham), I see the crops go from seeds to feed, and I get to see how our part time help grows from young high school kids with no plans to responsible adults with a passion for their prospective careers, even if it's not on the farm.  Farms are just a good place for things to grow.  

What I never see on the farm, but always deal with when talking about it is the politics of farming.  Maybe farms have done it to themselves, but I don't see how my life can be such a big political issue.  Some people think I am "brainwashed" by "Big Ag", not able to learn the "real" methods of agriculture.  Others feel that I am "oppressed" by the way things are in the industry, that I don't have choices or channels to make my farm the best it can be.  I like that people are talking about farming.  I love that we have research on what we grow.  I know these things can help us improve, that new methods and technology will develop from these conversations.  I only want the cynicism to subside on both sides, trust to flourish, and real listening to occur.  On both sides.  Farmers need to be open, honest and vulnerable.  Consumers need to be the same.  We aren't going to agree all of the time, but the mutual respect needs to be there.  It's the way we can move forward for the betterment of all.  I am tired of seeing people fighting back an forth about the "right" way.  We aren't listening, just throwing around the ideology that sounds best at the moment.

While I want to talk about the hard questions of agriculture, I want to stay an optimist.  I love what I do, I love the animals, and I see any challenges as an opportunity to do something great.  I have found through my own experiences, that most people are good people. I have faith that we can make ag better, we only have to try.

Ditch the Rule, but not the Reward

If you follow any type of farming publication, or ag social media you can see the #DitchtheRule campaign out in full swing.  If you haven't been following, #DitchtheRule is the push by the agricultural community to stop the EPA's change to the definition of the Waters of the United States.  The proposed changes  would make man-made ditches (even those that do not flow most of the year), wetlands, any pond area (even private half acre ponds, or small field ponds), drains and tiling all navigable, thus putting them in the EPA's jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.  By having this federal control of the water, farmers applying fertilizers and pesticides to adjacent lands may have to seek additional permits, or may not be able to use these products at all.  It also could make problems for farmers wishing to plant additional acreage that is not currently used for agriculture.  Overall, this seems to be an overreach of the EPA's control in commerce and of privately held property.

I am very wary of any federal agency taking claim to property owned privately.  I don't agree that more regulation will help the process of commerce, nor that it is the best way to keep the waterways clean.   I do think it gives us a chance to review what we are doing privately to protect the water, and what programs are out there for us to educate, promote, and support water and agriculture.

As a farmer, I can take a look at my nutrient management plan.  I can see what I am applying to the fields, use the proper amounts, and see if I am having my desired effect.  When looking at these things, I need to realize that anything flowing into the "little ditch by the road" will eventually make it into bigger water.  Using buffer strips, cover crops, crop rotation, and other soil conservation practices are things that I can do to reduce the chances of run-off.  Applying manure and fertilizers at the right time in relation to rain, plant maturity, and incorporation will make them more effective and less likely to end up in our waters.  I also need to respect the wetlands as nature's filter for our waters.  That 2 acre wetland may have me itching to farm it, but it really does a lot of the dirty work for my farm.  These techniques are being used by farmers, but there is always room to improve.

In Michigan, our water is a big deal, and we have many organizations to help us keep the water clean.  We have a great relationship with NRCS(Natural Resource Conservation Service), an active Michigan Department of Argriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and farmer-fair Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). On a more local level, we have watershed organizations that seek to educate farmers, and the general public on how to clean or better maintain our waterways. We also have a great voluntary environmental farm certification, titled MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program).  In this program, farms undergo audits in different areas of crop, livestock, and farmstead management and receive recommendations to reduce our environmental impact.  After making the updates, farms are visited again, and if it meet the standards of environmental stewardship, it will become a MAEAP verified location for the next few years.  Thousands of farms in Michigan have undergone this process.

As we move forward in the discussion about our waters, we need to realize that while this rule may not pass, the call for water conservation will not.  Farmers are stewards of the land, and due to our
use of the land we will have to take responsibility for our waters as well.  This isn't something to be taken lightly, but it does give us a chance to show our role as front-line environmentalists.  By showing additional care to our water, we will reap the rewards of good stewardship, keeping our farms and our communities running clean and strong.

What's in a Crop Farmer's Toolbox?

I read a lot of articles about how farmers misuse GM technology, and how we are not really paying attention to how this affects the land, air and water. That as farmers, we are just using the cheapest, and easiest method, and not paying attention to other opportunities that are out there for better our crops and farmland.  Taking one step into the Farm Journal's Corn College last week, I quickly realized that people don't see the other farming practices we implement to raise a better crop.  GM technology is one of many tools in our toolbox, but what else is out there?

Let's start with hybrids.  These aren't necessarily GMOs, in that they are bred in the field to make certain traits.  There are those which are drought resistant, heat resistant, flood resistant, short growing season, long growing season, and everything in between.  As farmers, we don't just pick one variety to plant in all of our fields, we diversify our crop based on soil type, drainage, micro-nutrient levels, presence of irrigation, equipment, tillage style, and a host of other factors.  We try to balance our cropping portfolio so that no matter what the growing conditions, we can have a good crop.

Now we can talk tillage practices.  Farmers have a huge variety of field implements to use when tilling their fields.  Some farmers are strictly no-till, which is planting into ground that hasn't been cultivated in any way.  This is good for soil erosion because the ground is always covered with some type of cover.  Some farmers use plows or rippers to break hard pans in the soil and to inject manure for a natural fertilizer. Vertical tillage is somewhere in between, helping to create soil uniformity, thus better space for roots to grow.  We try to minimize our passes over the field by doing multiple things at once, making us more efficient on fuel, and less likely to cause compaction.

We use soil testing to figure out our nutrient levels to make sure that we put the right fertilizers in the right places.  We balance our soil and water pH levels to make the growing conditions suitable for the plants.  We use crop rotation and cover crops to improve the soil content, minimize weeds in the off seasons, and increase the organic matter.

Farm equipment now allows us to collect data and use GPS to practice precision farming.  We can map a field based on yield, and soil type to plant different varieties in places that respond differently within the same field.  We can manage our fertilizers that way too, so we are using less and growing more. Even the number of seeds we plant per acre is adjusted based on this mapping, giving each seed a better chance to thrive, and only planting as many seeds as the ground can adequately provide for throughout the growing season. 

Even more basic farming tools are being honed every time we go out in the field.  Did you know that the soil temperature at the time of planting greatly effects the ability for the seed to take up nutrients?  By monitoring our soil temperatures, we can give the plants the best start that we can, and utilize the fertilizer that is already in the ground.  In addition, we can adjust our planting equipment to make sure our planting depths are consistent, so one plant doesn't dominate another.

GMOs are part of the farmer's toolbox, but they don't make up for cutting corners in crop production.  Not every farm is using each tool, but each farm is trying to put together the best mix of tools to utilize the land at the highest potential.