ILF Conservationist Dave Ruden

Dave Ruden has farmed his entire life. For the last 10 years he has farmed for a higher purpose. Ruden is the farm manager for the Mellaray Abbey located south of Dubuque.
The Melleray Abbey has approximately 3,400 acres including 1,400 acres of wooded land. The farm has been the property of the Abbey since 1849 when it was founded. The farm is certified organic, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and alfalfa. There is also pasture for their organic grass-fed beef.

Ruden was hired because of his reputation as a Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner. He says his ideas fit with the monks at the Abbey. Dave said the Abbey is always ecologically-minded. They are aware of the gift that they have in the farm. “For the monks, 50 years is short-term,” said Ruden. “Planting a tree that they will never see grow does not bother them.”

As the farm manager Ruden approaches his work on the farm by following several guidelines. The questions he poses to himself are ‘Are we doing any harm? What are the long-term consequences? Will it work or will we be worse off? Is it something that can be applied in a broad area and finally, Is it sustainable—economically and morally?’ He feels we can all ask these questions.

When asked to be involved with the Iowa Learning Farm, Dave responded, “The ILF project can reach so many people. For me conservation is second nature; it’s what I’ve been doing all my life.”

Dave and his wife, Rita, have raised four children. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Loras College in Dubuque, and an MBA from the University of Iowa. He serves as a Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner, on the board of directors for Limestone Bluffs RC and D, and is a director for the Upper Catfish Creek Watershed Project.

Contact Information:

Dave Ruden ~ Dubuque County
New Melleray Abbey
6632 Melleray Circle
Peosta, IA 52068
cell: 563/543-3475
farm@newmelleray.org