12801385_10154096799401320_577204424862979654_n

13533107_10154389729791320_8128734057638038360_n

Johnson Farms Organic Farm Tour
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Madison, SD

Schedule:
8:30 – 9:30 Registration with coffee and muffins (St. Peters Lutheran Church)
9:30 – 10:00 “Sowing the future with beginning farmers”
The Johnsons will share the history and development of over 40 years of organic farming. They will also cover the process of bringing future generations into farming.  Aaron, Kevin and Jordan Johnson will describe what it means getting into land stewardship as a beginning farmer.
10:00 – 12:00 Field tour
12:30 Lunch

Pre-registration Required: Free if pre-registered by Thursday, July 21 or $15 at the door.
RSVP to npsas@drtel.net or call 701-883-4304

Johnson Farms, which includes Charlie, Allan, Kevin, Aaron and Jordan, will host an organic farm tour near Madison, SD on Thursday, July 28.  The gathering will  begin at St. Peters Lutheran Church, rural Madison,  with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. From 9:00 to 10:00 the Johnsons will share the history and development of  over 40 years of organic farming. They will also cover the process of bringing future generations into farming. Aaron, Kevin and Jordan Johnson will describe what it  means getting into land stewardship as a beginning farmer.

At 10:00 a.m. we will board a tour bus to view a portion of the 2,500 organic acres managed by Charlie, his brothers, Allan and Kevin, and son Jordan. Cousin, Aaron operates 560 acres. We will stop and view the fields of organic small grains, forages, corn and soybeans and learn how the Johnson family manages soil fertility, weeds and pests using practical organic approaches to consistently produce high-quality and high-value crops. Equipment, seed varieties and rotations will be discussed.

Johnson Farms

Johnson’s organic process begins with a six-year crop rotation, which includes two years of hay, one each of soybeans, corn, again with soybeans and finally oats planted along with alfalfa. This attention to detail has led to Johnson Farms being certified organic by the International Certification Service (FVO/ICS). Johnson’s crops are sold through and represented by National Farmer’s Organization (NFO) Organics.

Johnson’s care for the land does not stop at crops. They keep their 200 head of Black Angus Gelbvieh hydrated with rural water, which keeps the cattle out of creeks and dugout ponds, thus preventing soil erosion and water contamination. The Johnson’s also maintain the tree-belts, sloughs, meadows and grass waterways on their property. This land stewardship led to the farm being honored by the South Dakota Soil and Water Conservation Society in 1996. Beyond the farm, family members have served many different institutions and organizations. This work has included leading many farming studies at South Dakota Sate University. Charlie has been on several boards such as Dakota Rural Action and was a former board member of NPSAS.

Directions:
To St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 24311 452 Ave. From Madison, S.D. – St. Peter’s Lutheran Church is 8 miles south of the corner of Hwy. 34 and US Hwy 81. (Super 8 and Pizza Ranch are at that corner) on 454th Ave. At the stop sign (241st St.) go west 2 miles, turn left (south) on 452nd Ave., and go 2 miles south on gravel road. Charlie’s farm is approximately 1/4 miles west of the church.