- Contributor: Jeannette E. Warnert
Monte and Bob Bottens are a father-son no-till team in Cambridge, Ill. The article outlines their 16-year effort to grow corn and soybeans using conservation agriculture practices. The Bottens were honored with this year’s ‘Responsible Nutrient Management Practitioner’ Award at the 2012 National No-till Farmer Conference in St. Louis, Mo.
Bottens is currently a part of CASI's Executive Group.
Another article in the same issue of No-Till Farmer presents a provocative and intriguing business model that recognizes the long-term value of high-quality soils, said Jeff Mitchell, UC Cooperative Extension cropping systems specialist. A group of farmers and investors launched Fall Line Farms at the 2012 annual National No-till Farmer Conference held in February in St. Louis, Mo.
Fall Line Farms seeks to expand no-till systems and increase awareness of the value of soil quality. The new company is offering to become capital partners for no-tillers who don't have the resources to buy farmland. It will consider prospects in any geographical area in the U.S. and may also offer advice on equipment, technology and agronomy to lessees.
One of the company's founders, Clay Mitchellis, is a 38-year-old farmer in northeast Iowa and holds a degree in biomedical engineering from Harvard University. He is known worldwide for his innovative farming systems and cutting edge agricultural practices and technologies.
The articles in PDF format are linked below.
New company aims to help no-tiller expand (PDF)
Father-son team aims to thrive, not survive (PDF)
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
Frank Lessiter, editor of No-till Farmer, announced that the magazine is seeking nominations for the third class of no-tillers to be named "Responsible Nutrient Management Practitioners." Winners will be honored at the 19th annual National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. To nominate no-till practitioners, fill in this survey. Self-nominations are accepted.
Three no-tillers will be selected by an independent panel of nutrient experts. The winning no-tillers will receive free transportation, lodging and registration to the National No-Tillage Conference in Cincinnati from Jan. 12-15, 2011, on behalf of Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers and No-Till Farmer.