Richard and Sharon Thompson, Boone
Jenny Kendall, Earlham
- began farming sustainably in 1968
- no herbicides or insecticides used
- practice five-year crop rotation
- numerous on-farm research trials covering multiple practices
Dick Thompson attended Iowa State University in the 1950s and received a B.S. in Animal Husbandry and an M.S. in Animal Production. The Thompsons were high input farmers from 1958 to 1967, changing to a more balanced farming system in 1968. Founding members of Practical Farmers of Iowa in 1985, the Thompsons have given farm tours to over 6,900 people from more than 40 different countries. They have also traveled extensively and spoken with over 24,000 people.
"Our first priority is stewardship of the land, not feeding the world."
These days, the Thompson farm serves as a model for the diversified farming enterprise. Dick practices alternative weed management strategies, crop rotation, tillage rotation, farm diversification with crops and livestock, use of cover crops, and utilizing livestock and human manure for farm fertility.
Dick is a firm believer in the concept of ‘enough is enough'. He believes the size of a farm will have to be restricted when the major part of weed control depends on the use of the rotary hoe and the cultivator. As he says, "an 8-row cultivator will handle 300-400 acres of row crops, but not thousands of acres." Harvesting ear corn puts another restraint on farm size. In his words, "Picking 100 acres in the ear is enough. Mowing and baling 40 acres of hay 3-4 times during the summer is enough. Looking after 75 cows during calving is enough. Cleaning pens every two weeks for a 75-sow farrow-to-finish hog operation is enough."
Although the Thompsons have been implementing sustainable farming practices for over 25 years, they still don't feel as if they have all the answers. Says Dick, "We find ourselves asking more questions each day and hope that we are asking the right questions."
Dick maintains meticulous records, and has compiled his years of on-farm research in a notebook called the Thompson Farm Report that he updates each year. He makes this notebook available to those who are interested in sustainable practices and would like to learn the details of the how the Thompsons have implemented their ideas.
Profitability and determining profitability are always important. Dick has created an economic indicator that incorporates statistics available from ISU and from the state that enables him to compare how well his farm is doing on a comparative basis with other farms. His process for determining this indicator is detailed in The Thompson Farm Report.
A hallmark of their philosophy is the use of farmer-managed onfarm research. The Thompsons encourage other farmers to ask questions as they seek answers as well. "We would like you to consider adapting these ideas to your situation, rather than outright adopting them."
On-farm Research The Thompsons view their role in the ecological field as one of investigation and experimentation. They have designed the research on their farm to answer questions such as; What kind of rotation is needed when chemicals are reduced or eliminated? What happens to crop yields and quality in a farming system that relies primarily on internal resources? What is the best method for handling livestock and human waste? How can a reduced herbicide system fit with a minimum tillage system? Can we use certain weeds or crops to control the weeds that are causing problems? Is there a connection between high nitrogen soils, high protein food and disease? The accompanying table of Thompson Farm Collaborations outlines the many on-farm research trials that have taken place or are in progress at the Thompson farm.
Impact of Sustainable Farming The Thompsons manage their farm as a complete and complex system. The operation hinges upon their 200 acre 5 year corn-soybean-corn-oats-hay rotation. One outcome of this alternative cropping system is that the Thompson farm has been managed without insecticides and herbicides for more than 25 years. Another 80 acres is involved in a 6 year rotation that includes hay and pasturing.
Dick and Sharon integrate their strong faith with their farming practices. Indeed, they will tell you, quietly, and without fanfare, that they were initially moved to change their farming practices because of their strong faith. Says Sharon, "If we are really going to be serious about agriculture and the problems of erosion, pollution, high input cost, then we have to realize that the change must first come from within." They saw a conflict with their Christian heritage and the over-aggressive direction of modern capitalism, and determined that they could shift down a gear and live their lives according to their own values.
"We go by our ‘operator's manual that says we are to be led by the Spirit and walk by the Spirit. This is to be a normal, natural way of life, not something spectacular or spooky. We mention this third dimension because this has had a great impact on our lives and, for us, contains the answers for the problems we face at this time."
"People have asked if we have ever participated in a farm strike. We say no. However, we have been on strike, so to speak, for many years. Our way of striking has been to reduce our number of acres of feed grains and lower our costs by reducing our use of comercial fertilizers, herbicides, and insceticides."
They feel strongly that with freedom comes responsibilities; that we are not free to exploit ourselves, our fellow humans, or our natural resources and environment. Dick and Sharon believe that positive thinking and positive actions are the key to encouraging others to adapt sustainable practices in their operations. "We can change perceptions by emphasizing positive practices as diverse rotations, rotation of tillage and various kinds of conservation practices that increase profit, take better care of resources, and are ultimately kinder to people. For example, a more diverse rotation produces 5 times more net income than the standard corn-soybean rotation. This allows for the smaller sized farm to prosper and thus invites and provides for more farmers into the rural community."
Dick and Sharon have been heavily involved with Practical Farmers of Iowa since its inception. Field days and workshops are an integral function of PFI. For the Thompsons, it's important kinds of farmers are welcome and comfortable at summer field days and winter workshops.
The Thompsons believe that the best way to incorporate sustainable farming practices is use the practical and sensible approach of moving one step at a time, rather than trying to make sweeping changes all at once. At the same time, the Thompsons are firm believers in a systems view of the farm management.
"Farmers need to take back control in the decision making of the type of research needed. Onfarm testing managed by farmers is one way for this to happen. Farmers who conduct research on their own farms get a deep understanding of the interactions that are occurring on the farm."
