CRESCO — The Agricultural Institute Day at the Borlaug Farm is Aug. 1.
Guest speaker is Fred Fleming from Lincoln County, Wash. Fleming worked with wheat breeder Orville Vogel, who helped Norman Borlaug with the Green Revolution. Fleming will speak at 10:30 a.m. and lunch will follow.
Fleming and his wife, Vicki, farm north of Reardan on land that Fleming's great-grandfather homesteaded in 1888.
The Flemings and Karl Kupers began farming in new ways to keep their land productive for decades to come and to enable their wheat to be sold at a fair price. Their philosophy and practices resulted in the two co-founding Shepherd's Grain.
Today, there are nearly 60 growers who raise wheat for Shepherd's Grain. These growers are from three geographical areas, southern Alberta, Pacific Northwest and southern California. They all use sustainable farming methods and are or are becoming certified by a third party audit.
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Fleming said they are involved with Shepherd's Grain because they are changing a paradigm in farming on how they market their crops.
The Flemings are also co-founders and owners in Rhizoterra CO and also started Reardan Seed Company. Rhizoterra is an international company that creates information and knowledge pertaining to soil health which founders believe is the foundation of agriculture.
Dawn Biologic will demonstrate no-till equipment in Mike Reicks' corn and soybean field, which is located next to the Borlaug Farm.
The cost is a $10 donation to the Borlaug Farm.
Businesses can reserve a display spot and people can RSVP by contacting Barb Schwamman at 319-269-5955.
