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January 22, 2009
Story by Misty Vermulm, NRCS District Conservationist
Photos by Dennis Loreth In southeast Toole County, Paul and Detta Lindberg have been working
at their conservation partnership for over a quarter of a century. They
stand in front of the vibrant shelterbelt that they planted together
over 25 years ago. The Lindbergs not only invest their own sweat equity
but also are not afraid to draw on the expertise of others and then
continually implement new knowledge to improve their farming operation.
They carefully calculate the decisions they make for their farm, and
their operation develops, changes, and progresses with innovations and
technology over time. This pliable, growth-oriented philosophy has
enabled their farm to rise to the top; they were awarded a Tier 3
Conservation Security Program (CSP) contract straight out of the gate in
2005.
The conservation efforts started many years ago when the local District
Board awarded Conservationist of the Year in 1977 to Paul’s dad, Arnold,
and his uncle, Mark. Those were the days of conventional tillage, and
Paul says his dad “never got off the tractor.” Consequently, their
fallow ground was clean and recognized as such with a local award. This
affinity for riding the tractor was a tough one to break, according to
Paul. It was through the dogged persuading of Paul and Jeff Farkell, a
crop consultant and friend of Paul’s, that Arnold began to come around
to the idea of utilizing minimal tillage along with chemical fallow weed
control. The changeover started with small acreages and eventually kept
increasing. Now Paul benefits from the moisture retention of a minimum
tillage operation and the resulting improved yields.
Paul jokingly notes
that he has been working with Jeff longer than he has been married to Detta. In 2001, Jeff was presented with an award for Excellence in Crop
Advising at both the state and national levels; the Lindbergs have
tremendous confidence in Jeff’s recommendations. Paul has benefitted
from Jeff’s specialized assistance on soil testing and fertilizer
application, as well as crop scouting and monitoring for weeds, pests,
and disease problems, to enhance the conservation measures on his place.
Through this connection, the concept of applying fertilizer according to
the needs of the crops and soils was adopted long ago and was a natural
fit with NRCS’ CSP. With NRCS’ encouragement, it became an easy
progression to step up basic soil testing and begin utilizing technology
for more precise fertilizer application. The 2005 EQIP special
initiative was an incentive to venture into the more advanced techniques
using the precision agriculture nutrient management practice that was
targeted. With proven results, the concept appealed to Paul so much that
he expanded the acres for this practice; he was rewarded with a CSP
enhancement.
Partnering with others to do the very best for his ground also came into
play with a saline seep that was expanding. With assistance from Jane
Holzer at the Montana Salinity Control Association, as well as NRCS, the
recharge area was delineated, and Paul has been able to treat enough of
the recharge to reduce the size of the seep area effectively. The
40-acre salinized bottom that used to visually shout at anyone driving
by is reclaimed in all but the most salinized spots and is now more like
a visual whisper. That same land now provides excellent cover for the
locally coveted mule deer and upland birds that frequent this area.
The new CSP, now called the Conservation Stewardship Program, is helping
to continue this pattern of management excellence. Paul made a point to
reinvest the CSP-awarded funds into his farm to benefit his natural
resources. To that end, he recently purchased an upgraded sprayer that
allows him to cover 30 additional feet with each pass. This additional
footage translates into reduced fuel costs as well as a more effective
chemical control: covering more ground and targeting weeds at the most
ideal time, thereby reducing the amount of chemicals applied. Paul
estimates that this sprayer has saved him 30% in chemical costs and
significant reduction in fuel costs by using less than 1/5 the fuel to
cover the same acres. The energy savings alone is precisely the sort of
practice that benefits not only this farm but also all energy consumers.
In addition, the auto steer and GPS technologies on the sprayer equate
to significant savings by virtually eliminating overlap of applied
chemicals. The sprayer also includes independent control of boom
sections with automatic on/off features. Even with just a 3-foot overlap
using the old truck sprayer, the reduced overlap means a savings of
nearly 5% in chemicals alone. All of these changes add up to maintaining
a viable operation; new life has been breathed into a
sometimes-discouraging farming atmosphere.
Detta, who is the secretary/treasurer for their farm, quips that she
just finished paying for the sprayer and decided it was about time she
rode in it. Besides the economic savings, she is appreciative of the
time saved—having more family time with Paul and enjoying their
grandkids together. As she says, “Farmers never get enough family time.”
Ultimately, for the Lindbergs, it is that cooperative effort, building
and cultivating those working relationships, that has led to more time
to invest in their family and personal relationships. Doesn’t that just
add up to the great American dream: a family-owned business that fosters
community as well as partner involvement and strives to protect our
natural resources to boot? |
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Paul and Detta Lindberg standing by a shelterbelt that they planted over
25 years ago
Paul Lindberg & Jeff Farkell estimate that this sprayer has saved 30% in
costs
Paul Lindberg, Jeff Farkell, Misty Vermulm
The Lindberg farm and shelterbelt
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