Earlier this week we were out walking the fields of Gary Zimmer’s Otter Creek Organic Farm in Lone Rock, Wisconsin, during the 2022 On-Farm Intensive with Zimmer Ag. The two-day intensive, held Aug. 22-23, focused on lessons in soil health, including soil biology and fertility, plus carbon-smart farming, cover cropping, farm economics, perennial crops, equipment, and soil testing.
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The Farm and The Barn
The On-Farm Intensive took place on several different farms owned by Gary – including the Otter Creek Organic Farm and the Twin Creeks Farm. The barn on Twin Creeks, where the indoor workshop sessions were held, was recently renovated into an incredible event space – and On-Farm was the first event to be held there!
Gary Zimmer’s newly renovated barn on the Twin Creeks Farm in Lone Rock, WI.The barn has been recently renovated to hold events and classroom sessions.A rye cover crop with corn in the distance on Twin Creeks Farm.The Acres U.S.A. team took a moment to walk the field before the On-Farm event started.Beautiful flowers in a pollination area near the barn.The Acres U.S.A. team was properly supervised during set-up.
Day 1 – Intro to Biological Farming
Both days were info-packed, and Day 1 started out strong! Gary Zimmer provided lessons both in and off the field around soil biology and the principles of biological farming, while Karl Dallefeld of Prairie Creek Seed discussed cover crops, and Leilani Zimmer Durand addressed carbon-smart farming tactics and updates.
Acres U.S.A. General Manager Ryan Slabaugh introduces Gary Zimmer to 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer teaches an introductory session on Biological Farming inside his renovated barn at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Gary Zimmer teaches beside his white board which reads “Teach a farmer WHY and they will figure out HOW.”Gary Zimmer holds up David Montgomery’s new book “What Your Food Ate” to On-Farm Intensive attendees, telling them, “I found this very interesting.”Gary Zimmer discusses the principles of biological farming with attendees of the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Gary Zimmer shows off his slide of a soil system in conjunction with livestock stomachs as part of the 2022 On-Farm Intensive classroom session.Karl Dallefeld of Prairie Creek Seed led a session on Integrating the Right Cover Crop at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Karl Dallefeld discusses cover crop integration at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees stand in the field with Gary Zimmer.Gary Zimmer, right, and Karl Dallefeld, middle, talk to 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees in the field.Gary Zimmer pulls a corn plant to show the roots to 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees under a tent in a rye field.Gary Zimmer discusses perennial crops under a tent in a rye field at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Gary Zimmer discusses perennial crops under a tent in a rye field at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Gary Zimmer digs in the soil of his rye field on Twin Creeks Farm to discuss soil biology with 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer studies the soil of his rye field on Twin Creeks Farm to discuss soil biology with 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer discusses the soil of his rye field on Twin Creeks Farm to discuss soil biology with 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer holds up a handful of soil to his 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer holds up a handful of soil to his 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Gary Zimmer discusses the principles of biological farming in the field during the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Attendees listen to Gary Zimmer discuss biological farming and soil health in the field of his Twin Creeks Farm at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive event.
Day 1 – Lunch & Learning
A delicious lunch of local beef brat, local vegetables and rye shortbread cookies was served by local caterers Homecoming from Spring Green on day 1 of the On-Farm Intensive. All the food was produced by Enos Farms.
Leilani Zimmer-Durand gave a talk addressing soil carbon and the role it plays including:
the different types of carbon on a farm and their different roles in soil health, nutrient cycling and organic matter production
an overview of the carbon-trading marketplace
what’s coming with the Climate-Smart Commodities grant and how that will impact farmers’ abilities to make some of the sustainable practices they’ve already been following more profitable
how the current crop rotation system at Otter Creek builds more soil carbon than a traditional organic farming rotation, and why that makes a difference for yields and quality
Leilani Zimmer Durand leads a workshop session on carbon-smart farming at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.In a classroom session in the restored barn, Leilani Zimmer Durand discusses carbon-smart farming at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Leilani Zimmer Durand leads a workshop session on carbon-smart farming at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.In a classroom session in the restored barn, Leilani Zimmer Durand discusses carbon-smart farming at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.
Day 1 – Perennial Crops in the Field
After hearing a presentation on agroforestry from Patrick Michaels – CFO of Canopy Farm Management and manager of Twin Creeks Farm – attendees walked out to the fields to look at some of the perennial crops. Attendees learned about when, where and why they were planted, and how they fit into an overall farm management and soil health plan.
Patrick Michaels, CFO of Canopy Farm Management and manager of Twin Creeks Farm, discusses agroforestry.Patrick Michaels, CFO of Canopy Farm Management and manager of Twin Creeks Farm, discusses agroforestry.2022 On-Farm attendees visit the elderberry field with Gary Zimmer and Patrick Michaels.Patrick Michaels discusses the planting of elderberries on Twin Creeks Farm.Elderberry plant at Twin Creeks Farm.Overview of rows of elderberries planted at Twin Creeks Farm.2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees stand in the blueberry field at Twin Creeks Farm.Gary Zimmer talks to 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees in the blueberry field at Twin Creeks Farm.The blueberry field at Twin Creeks Farm.
In the Field – Soil Biology & Fertility
After studying the perennial crops in the elderberry and blueberry fields, the attendees followed Gary, Leilani and Patrick back to the rye field, where they dug in the dirt and discussed soil biology and fertility.
Leilani Zimmer Durand digs up a handful of soil for attendees to see at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.Leilani Zimmer Durand shows her handful of soil to a videographer at the 2022 On-Farm Intensive.An earthworm can be spotted in this handful of rich soil from Twin Creeks Farm’s rye field.Gary Zimmer shows corn stalk roots to 2022 On-Farm Intensive attendees.Closeup on root structures of corn plants from conventionally managed field (left) and biologically managed field (right).
