Articles
Article Archives
- October 2022
- September 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- June 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- November 2015
- October 2015
- August 2015
- All Current Articles
Chicago Farmers member is named No-Till Legend
National No-Tillage Conference recognizes the Top 25 Innovators.
Chicago Farmers member and former president Jeff Martin, owner and operator of Martin Family Farms, received the title of No-Till Legend on January 12, 2017, at the 25th Anniversary National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Martin was among the top 25 innovators in the history of no-till recognized by Frank Lessiter, No-Till Farmer editor. Lessiter noted Martin’s passion for no-till. He related that Martin has maintained this process through the good times and the bad and has been a major contributor to no-till by reporting the results he was seeing on his fields. He not only promoted no-till, but helped to improve no-till operations over the years, Lessiter said. Martin was unable to attend the awards dinner, but his son and business partner, Derek Martin, accepted the award on his behalf.
How does one achieve “No-Till Legend” status? According to the No-Till Conference, a No-Till Legend is “a person who played a key role in the growth of no-till from 3.2 million acres in 1972 to nearly 100 million acres in 2017.”
Martin said that he first decided to no-till when he walked out to one of his corn fields during a dust storm and witnessed the knee high corn being cut down by the dust. Not only was precious soil being lost, but crops were being damaged. Martin knew things had to change. After researching viable options to improve soil quality and to prevent more soil loss, Martin finally decided on no-till.
Martin began to no-till in the early 1980s and still continues the practice today. He related, “No-till has many benefits that definitely outweigh the negatives. No-till promotes more earthworms, which are great facilitators. They incorporate organic matter and improve drainage and aeration; all while helping water infiltration and enhancing nutrient cycling. No-till gives microbes a boost and allows for better cultivation of the soil. Farmers make fewer trips over their field, which saves in fuel and labor costs and sustains the soil against wind and/or rain erosion.”
Martin said he is happy with the results he has seen with no-till/strip-till over the last 30 years, noting the biggest benefit is better soil health, which is the key to better yields. Martin also said he is pleased to have passed this practice on to his sons, Doug and Derek, and is eager to see what the next 30 years brings.
If you would like more information, please visit the farm website at martinfamilyfarms.org or email Jeff Martin at [email protected].
