Farming in the UP is not like farming in the corn belt where you have neighbors doing about the same thing, on very similar fields. Here you have to learn mostly from your own trial and error. We have a lot of diversity in farm related operations, so there are not many nearby to collaborate with. With the internet and self-organizing collective groups with common interests, there are now greater opportunities for collaboration. This is welcomed, and can make a huge difference. Our area has a unique climate, and soils that developed from forests as opposed to prairie, as we find in the corn belt. Every area has unique strengths and weaknesses. Our climate is cooler than much of the country, and we can get prolonged periods of cloudy weather. We do benefit from some lake effects which tends to moderate our climate. We do not get the extreme cold combined with winds that can occur in more open areas like Nebraska. We also do not get the extreme heat and humidity that can be very hard on livestock. We do get heavy snow, so most animals need some kind of shelter.
There is not a lot of farming in the UP, and as a result, we do not have large local markets for products, and there is limited infrastructure for providing things like fertilizer, and agriculture machinery. Livestock markets and packing plants are typically quite a distance away. Getting repair parts quickly can be a problem, but with the internet and UPS, things are perhaps improving. There are clearly many opportunities for entrepreneurs. When we first got into forages, we had little appreciation for the diverse mix of people raising livestock on a modest scale. Based on our experience we have found many new to farming, and perhaps a similar number returning to the area after a career elsewhere. I think this bodes well for the future of both agriculture and small business in the UP. The growth and popularity of Farmer’s Markets is an encouraging sign. Renewed interest in local food production and knowing who produced it is becoming more important. Government agencies that have been entrusted with food safety are felt by many to be controlled by junk food companies. Trust has been lost, and for good reason. Each generation seems to get less healthy. Organic food has gained credibility, and more and more people are willing to pay more for food that is not pickled in toxic chemicals. Perhaps the new administration will Make America Healthy Again, by shaking up the cozy relationship between regulators and the industries they are supposed to regulate.

Chemical Agriculture produces a lot of corn and soybeans and uses these commodities to produce many processed food items. Corn and soy were never really all that healthy, and with GMO genetics, they have not improved. Extensive use of glyphosate has been shown to cause human health problems, and it also has an effect on the soil. It ties up micronutrients needed by plants, exacerbating micronutrient deficiencies in the soil. The deficiencies transfer to the plants, and ultimately what eats the plants, and what eats that. Once these chemicals get into the soil, it takes a long time for them to break down naturally.
Sometimes disadvantages become advantages. Our area is not a heavy corn and soybean area, and consequently our soils are not contaminated with toxic chemicals like much of the rest of the country. This is a really big deal, and can be very important going forward. We need to market this!!! The Dynamite Hill Farm has never seen much use of herbicides, and has used none over the past 25 years. We cannot overemphasize how important this can be going forward. We, quite honestly, did not fully appreciate how important this was to our forage customers. Going herbicide, pesticide, and fungicide free on your farms will likely also be important to your customers.

Our climate is cooler than many areas, and our growing season is shorter. We do however get more sunlight hours than many areas in the summer months, and we get good rainfall at roughly 34”, with 3-4 inches/month during the growing season. This compares to 38-40” for much of the central corn belt that sees higher temperatures and considerably stronger prevailing winds. We should be capable of growing something! Species and variety need to be tailored to our local environment for optimal results.

All soils are good at growing something. Nature abhors a vacuum, and plants have evolved to fill most niches. Our forest soils typically contain lower organic matter than prairie soils, but good crops can be grown on soils with 2 – 3 % organic matter. Nutrients and micronutrients come from the local geology. Even highly productive soils can have micronutrient issues that hold back yields. UP soils tend to be higher in P, but can be quite low in K. Extensive testing of our soils show very low levels of some important metals like Mo, and Co. Several other elements were marginal. Often the soil may contain minerals and metals, but they may not be available to plants in the amounts needed during rapid growth periods. Addressing soil chemistry is a critical first step in getting a more productive farm. Many fields in the UP have not been limed in recent memory, and PH levels may drop to 5.5 or lower. Many very important nutrients become much less available at such low PH levels. We have included a chart that shows the relative availability of many important nutrients, as a function of PH. See Charts, under the References tab. Reduced acid rain probably helps reduce acidification, but then we are not getting the S we need and have to apply that for crops like alfalfa for optimal performance. Many UP fields have adequate iron and manganese levels, but these elements are oxidized, and not useful to plants. Getting the chemistry right is an important first step. Getting the soil biology right is equally important because the biology will help with the chemistry, but the chemistry is needed to get the biology. Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

There is a lot of talk regarding climate change. Much of this is a hoax to support investments in different energy sources by large investors. Climate does change, and it follows a number of cycles. The past few years we have seen mild winters with early springs. Summer temperatures however, do not seem to be hotter. This can be helpful for people farming at northern latitudes, if it persists. Higher CO2 levels supercharge plants and increase growth rates, but we would not count on rapid increases. CO2 is portrayed as a dangerous gas, but all life on earth is dependent on this gas, some directly, and some indirectly. The soil stores a tremendous amount of carbon, but chemical agriculture is responsible for a great deal of what was once stored in the soil to return to the atmosphere. The good news is that this damage can be corrected and a great deal of carbon can be returned to the soil where it will greatly improve soil health.

Smaller scale operations can be viewed as a disadvantage, but once again, there are advantages to smaller scale. Pasture raised animals do not need antibiotics like feedlot cattle. You do not have the risk of spreading infections. Manure is a valuable asset in the UP, because it can be returned to the soil and it will reduce fertilizer expenses. In many places where there is a concentration of feedlots or enclosed pens, it is hard to find someone who can use all the manure without hauling great distances at considerable expense. Northwest Iowa is a big egg producing area. Huge barns can house a million birds. If one gets sick, the entire flock may have to be destroyed. Large scale has advantages, and disadvantages.
Many are quick to view other farms or producers as competitors. As long as the market is not saturated, it might be more useful to look at other farmers as potential partners. We need to think of UP grown as a marketing campaign. Farmers often sell their products by word of mouth. The internet can greatly expand your reach and customer base. Many farms sell online and ship meat and even eggs half way across the country. A good website is needed to have credibility, and care will be needed in cooling and shipping perishable items, but these problems are solvable. Farm shops, and even unmanned stands can be effective. A friend here in Iowa has a milk run to neighboring towns where they have a place where they meet with customers on a particular day and time, kind of a one farm, farmers market, that might be an hour or two from the farm. Farmer’s markets should not be ignored. Definitely worth trying if only to see what is selling and what is not. Those selling lamb and mutton might find specific ethnic markets interesting. College towns often have a more diverse potential customer base, and I suspect this likely has not been tapped.

Farming is a business, and a way of life. To be successful, you need to provide a great product at a competitive price. This does not mean that you need to match Walmart prices, particularly if you have a unique product. If your product has tangible attributes, you need to share this with the customer, and provide real data that supports your claims. Repeat customers are important, and you have to consistently do a good job to keep them. Decent facilities, well kept records, any kind of certifications, can make a difference. Honest and fairness are always demanded. If selling meat, the processer can make a huge difference. It is really important to find someone who knows what they are doing, and partner with them. They could probably help you sell your products. Getting the right genetics is important. A bunch of things that make a difference taken together can make a lot of difference.