05 Jan 2017 Conservation Farmer of the Year
The Wabash County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors have chosen Ramseier Farms, Inc. as the recipient of the Conservation Farmer of the Year Award for 2017. Zac and Amber Ramseier own and operate a total of six hundred acres located in Pleasant and Paw Paw Townships, in the North West part of Wabash County. Zac always had an interest in farming. His interest was fueled at an early age while spending time around his Grandfather and mentor. While attending Manchester High School, he spent most of my extracurricular time working on a dairy farm where Zac acquired knowledge of hard work and the dedication it took to keep cattle healthy and a livestock farm operating. In 2009 Zac was blessed with the opportunity to start farming with forty acres of soybeans. Fortunately for Ramseier Farms, they began farming during some of the best years known in the agricultural world and took it with strive as they continued to grow their operation.
The Ramseier’s utilize a corn, soybean and wheat rotation on their six hundred acres. Zac began no-tilling mainly because it was the most economical way to start his operation. “I didn’t need the big horsepower equipment and more capital expenses on implements.” It didn’t take long to start seeing the improvement in soil and microbial health through no-till practices to fuel his ambition to take things to the next level and introduce cover crops. They now practices 100% No-Till along with a verity of cover crops, ray grass is predominantly applied. Zac had initially started cover crops with aerial application of annual rye grass during the first part of September into both corn and soybeans. This has since progressed to cereal rye grass applied with a ground high boy applicator. The high boy applicator allows for a more consistent stand in his corn. Zac has also begun drilling various cover crop blends into soybean residue.While no-till practices have been the goal and standard for their operation from the beginning,in the coming years Zac says “I desire to continue to try different things and experiment.” The next “experimental” step for Ramseier Farms, will be Inter-seeding into corn stands and utilizing roller/crimpers to terminate cover crops.
Besides practicing no-till and cover crops they maintain filter strips and waterways to help minimize soil erosion and loss of nutrients from their land. They have also developed nutrient and pest management plans. These management practices have a proven track record of significantly reducing the risks related to pesticides, while increased soil productivity and reducing pest damage.
Zac’s wife, Amber is employed in the account department with Midwest Poultry Services, LP. Together they have two daughters, Addison age 4 and Allison age 2. They attend the First Brethren Church in North Manchester. Zac is also a part of the community through his volunteer work with the Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department. Both Zac and Amber are very thankful for the support of their family, both generations back and present. They are also very grateful for the support of their landowners who are likewise very conservation minded.
Ramseier Farms, Inc. will be recognized at the Wabash County SWCD Annual Meeting on Friday March 2, 2018 for their conservation efforts. Congratulations and thank you for being outstanding stewards of our land.
Zac and Amber Ramseier with their two daughters Addison and Allison who are the 2017 Conservation Farmers of the Year chosen by the Wabash County SWCD.