Burch Family Farms
Location:
Warren County, Iowa
Years in Operation:
The Burch Farm has been in the family for several decades with current generation granted ownership in 2016.
Leading Harvest Program User:
Mollie Aronowitz, Peoples Company
Size of Operation:
94 Acres
Crop Type:
Corn-Soybean Rotation
Objective 7. Conservation of Biodiversity
To manage farmland in a manner that maintains agricultural production while conserving biodiversity where appropriate or legally required.
RELEVANT INDICATORS
Indicator 7.2.1 Native Habitats and Natural Communities:
Maintenance or conservation of native habitats and natural communities in areas not used for agricultural production.
Indicator 7.2.3 Cropland for Wildlife Habitat:
Application of regional agricultural best management practices on cropland to create temporary wildlife habitat where appropriate. Examples could include, but are not limited to, no-till practices, cover cropping, adding soil amendments made up of organic matter, bird boxes, soil erosion control structures (e.g., grassed waterways), delayed mowing, intercropping, seeding areas with native grassland seed mixes, tailwater recovery ponds managed as wetlands, and water level management of rice fields for waterbirds.
Leading Harvest Indicators at Work
- 12 Acres in USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) containing a mix of small grains, grasses, forbs and legumes designed for quail and upland bird species.
- Extensive system of permanent grassland terraces across the farm, as well as timber acreage and a small pond.
- Cover crops planted each fall, typically cereal rye (perennial) after corn and oats (winter kill) after soybeans. The corn-soybean rotation is no-till.
“Did you know?”
- This farm has received cost share dollars from non-profit organization Practical Farmers of Iowa for its annual cover crops.
- This user saw an increase in its profitability as a direct result of setting aside less productive acreage to conserve wildlife habitats.
