No-Till Helps Andrew Score Big in 2005 CSP

By Jason Johnson, Public Affairs Specialist

Jim Andrew began no-till farming 100 percent of his land in 1993. His decision to go complete no-till is paying off. Andrew’s 1,300-acre farm of corn and soybeans ranks as a Tier III Category A, the highest possible Tier and Category for the 2005 Conservation Security Program.

Andrew started Andrew Farms Inc. in 1975 with his father, Jim Sr., his wife, Jacque, and two sisters. The operation consists of two farms in southern Greene County.

According to Andrew, maintaining a conservation plan and going complete no-till on the rolling hills and productive Webster Clarion Nicollet soil are keys in the farm ranking so well in the CSP.

Andrews’ property includes three farm ponds with areas devoted to wildlife, several miles of terraces, tile with in-take tubes, windbreaks, grassed waterways, and 20-foot wide turn strips to eliminate compaction by machinery.

Andrew also boasts an on-farm drying bin that stores crops for more than a year. “What we raise we have room to store,” he says.

As a conservationist and corn and soybean promoter, Andrew has taken a leadership role. He was a member of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board for 16 years before running out of terms. He also served on the Iowa and National Corn Growers Association. Andrew is currently a board member of the Iowa Soybean Association.
 

This printable version requires Acrobat Reader.

No-Till Helps Andrew Score Big in 2005 CSP (PDF, 132 KB)

< Back to Conservation Showcase...