By Jamie Martin
In Luverne, Minnesota, Shawn Feikema, a third-generation farmer, is advancing agricultural practices to ensure the longevity and sustainability of his family's farm.
Overseeing a 7,000-acre operation, Shawn integrates a systems approach, coordinating row crops and cattle in a mutually beneficial cycle that enhances soil health.
The farm's strategic use of manure instead of commercial fertilizers not only enriches the soil but also aligns with sustainable farming practices. This approach, rooted in the principle of using what the land provides and giving back to it, is fundamental to Shawn's operations.
"It's really a systems approach to soil health," Shawn explains. "I use everything the soil gives us, and we turn around and return it back to the field."
Recent regulatory changes posed challenges for manure management, prompting Shawn to innovate further.
With assistance from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Shawn implemented essential conservation practices, ensuring the farm’s adherence to new regulations and its future viability.
Shawn's commitment is clear - "Our core principles are we do the best we can with what God has given us. This is the Earth he's given us and we're to make the most of it for ourselves, for our communities and the world."
For more about USDA programs that support sustainable farming, visit your local USDA service center.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National