This article explores the practices of the Fehr family and their success in organic farming at Clear Creek Acres in West Bend, Iowa. It discusses the family’s 800-acre operation, which includes 50,000 acres of crops grown without synthetic chemicals.
Since 1998, the Fehrs have challenged conventional agricultural methods by focusing on organic production. The farm uses natural fertilizers like chicken litter and hog manure, and relies on labor-intensive methods such as hand-weeding and laser weeders.
Their success is marked by nearly $40 million in annual crop sales, with crops like organic corn and soybeans fetching premiums due to growing consumer demand.
The article contrasts the Fehr family’s methods with the agrochemical industry’s claims that pesticides and herbicides are essential for food production.
Despite some critics in the local farming community, the Fehr family has proven that large-scale organic farming is both viable and profitable, offering a potential model for other farmers looking to transition to organic practices.
The Fehr family’s operation is not only financially successful but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing toxic chemical runoff, improving water quality, and promoting soil health.
Their practices, including crop rotation and the use of organic fertilizers, support their belief that organic farming can help mitigate water pollution, an issue that plagues many areas of Iowa.
Their example also emphasizes the long-term viability of organic farming as a family business, offering opportunities for future generations to continue farming.
This article highlights the growing trend of organic farming in the Midwest, and the Fehr family’s significant contribution to this movement, which has seen increased demand for organic grain and resulted in Iowa becoming a leader in organic grain production.