ILF Cooperator Paul Hunter
Producer: Paul Hunter
Location: Decorah, Winneshiek County
Soil Region: 3, Northeast Iowa Surface
ILF Demonstration: No-tillage compared to chisel plow
Bio: Paul bears the distinction as the youngest cooperator with the ILF project. He was born and raised on a farm and began his own operation in 1997 after graduating from ISU. His grandparents purchased the family farm in 1973. Paul and his father farm 1,000 acres in row crops and hay and also have a cow/calf operation.
He also has 40 acres for organic corn and soybeans. The soybeans are sold to an organic soy milk company. His organic corn goes to a local egg producer. Although a no-tiller on the rest of his acres, Paul sees the marketing and income potential with his organic crops. He knows that tillage is necessary with organic farming and is working on minimizing the effect of erosion on his organic acres as well as the rest of his farm.
Paul and is wife are busy with two young boys. He is a member of Farm Bureau, Corn and Soybean Growers Association, is on the board of directors for Opportunity Homes, helping individuals with disabilities to live on their own. He is also involved, through his local church, with the Food Resource Bank, a nationwide project to help third-world farmers grow their own food.
Building a Culture of Conservation:
“I have always hated going through fields and seeing erosion channels: maybe because I know how long it will take to get it back; maybe it’s because I am young and I worry what the land
will be like when I am older. Once it is gone, it is gone.”
“We need to reach the younger farmers. Farmers in their 30s and 40s may be more willing to try new things than the older farmers.”
Contact Information:
Paul Hunter ~ Winneshiek County
2252 Twin Springs Road
Decorah, IA 52101
563/382-8045
pjhunter@netins.net
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