Farmer Led

By Zach Laughlin, Fond du Lac County LWCD, zach.laughlin@fdlco.wi.gov

Zach Laughlin from Fond du lac County Land and Water took the time to sit down with Tony Peirick to discuss the importance of farmers working and learning together. More specifically, they focused on Tony’s experience starting the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water farmer led group to accomplish that goal. Tony runs a cash grain and dairy operation in south-central Wisconsin, and became involved after the local lake association started to push the county for stricter rules to address declining water quality.

DRAWING A CROWD

Tony gives a lot of credit to Ray Archuleta and good food for the group’s fast start. Tony and a member from the lake association had traveled to Wisconsin Rapids to see Ray speak. Ray did such a great job explaining soil health that Tony knew he needed Ray to present at the Dodge County Farmers group’s first meeting. Tony recalled, “I invited a lot of farmers. Told them we’re going to have a soil health meeting”. The promise of good food and an opportunity to hear Ray speak drew a crowd. Thanks to Ray’s presentation, farmers were able to grasp the principles of soil health and why they as farmers should be focused on it.

CIRCLE OF TRUST

During that first meeting, Tony was able to connect a core group of farmers who were willing to collaborate. Tony also explained that this type of group needs to be led by farmers. Looking back, Tony remembered telling the group, “It’s going to be a group of us farmers and we’re going to try to help each other…nobody’s going to be out front doing everything. We’re all going to work together, do projects, and we’re going to learn off of everybody”. And, over the years, that is exactly what they did.

MIXING IT UP

Topics and meeting locations may vary, but the core stays the same. Tony said that they, “Make it enjoyable, make it fun, don’t get so serious, let the farmers lead it, and have different events”. Usually in March or April, they hold a preplant workshop to show farmers how to make adjustments or repairs to planters so they are ready for spring planting. They will hold some meetings in the fall to highlight different cover crops. Tony shared, “If someone wants to open up their shop, we will get beer and pizza and go out and talk. That’s the key of everything moving forward: educational events and farmers talking to other farmers that have done something, so that they can be reassured if they want to start something, that somebody’s done it and somebody’s there for mentorship”.

CONNECTING YOUR GROUP

For the farmer just starting their soil health journey today, the sheer amount of information at their fingertips can be intimidating. Nothing can cut through the noise faster than farmers asking farmers questions. Farmers will get that opportunity at Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Farmer Roundtable event in Oshkosh coming up on February 15th, 2023. And since the event seems to be following Tony’s advice on good food and farmer led conversations, it will draw a crowd. A perfect place to find that core group of farmers to join you in your journey.