Young farmers continue farming tradition

by Jennifer Whittaker, Editor

Greene County -- It’s been ten years since Dustin Churchwell decided to dairy farm full time with his father, Barry, and grandfather, Alvin. During the past decade, the family has continued to make management and production changes in an attempt to ensure the farm’s future. Dustin says complying with environmental regulations is one of the biggest challenges he faces.

“Trying to deal with all of the environmental regulations has gotten to be a big challenge,” Dustin says. “There’s a lot of paperwork that goes along with farming today. For example, you have to document the number of hours you pump out your lagoon and when.”

Both Dustin and his dad attended classes to become certified animal waste handlers to meet the federal Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) regulations that became law last year. The regulations place controls on land application of manure and wastewater. Under these rules, farms with more than 200 dairy cows and calves are required to apply for a permit, submit an annual report and develop and implement plans for handling manure and wastewater.

Last year the Churchwells laid 5,500 feet of underground irrigation pipe stretching from their lagoon to pastures and fields used to grow forage for the herd. Using the lagoon water on this acreage provides the Churchwells with a cheap source of fertilizer and provides irrigation water when needed.

“Pumping out our lagoon has already helped us cut down our fertilizer bill,” Dustin explains. “We put a little granulated fertilizer out last spring but not near as much as we once used.”

Saving on fertilizer is one way the Churchwells can cut their cost of production to protect themselves against low milk prices.

“Last year being in the dairy business was a losing battle when milk dropped down into the eleven dollar (per hundredweight) range. That

Dustin estimates that the 320 head herd produces an average of 62 lbs. of milk per cow per day. Two years ago they began using a wellness plan by Pfizer® to eliminate health problems when cows freshen. The wellness plan has allowed the Churchwells to rebreed the cows quicker, and more cows are staying in the milking line, increasing profits. They rely on artificial insemination to improve herd genetics.

Dustin and his wife, Amanda, were among the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers who traveled to D.C., this past March to meet with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation about ag legislation.

“I really enjoyed meeting all of the other young farmers and talking to them about how they handle their businesses,” Amanda said.

The couple has one son, Kyle, age three.

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Berrien County -- Ashley Lane takes a two dimensional approach to row cropping - by land and by air. He plants and harvests on the ground, but when it comes time to spray herbicides or pesticides he takes to the air. His love for the land came naturally as he grew up watching his father teach vocational agriculture and row crop.

"I had my own crops when I was in school. I just used my dad’s equipment," Ashley recalls.

After graduating from high school, Ashley rented additional land to increase his acreage of cotton and peanuts as he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Today, he and his father still work together, helping harvest each other’s crops and buying equipment on halves.

Several years after graduating from ABAC, Ashley decided it was time to take to the sky, just as his older brother had done. So, in 1998, Ashley started a crop dusting business to compliment the row crops.

"My older brother is also a crop duster. I used to load his plane when I was younger, and he gave me a lot of inspiration," Ashley says. "Flying takes my mind off worrying about things on the farm. When I get in the air I fully concentrate on flying."

But don’t think the aerial acrobatics are just fun and games. In addition to spraying his own crops, Ashley does aerial spraying for 100 customers in three counties.

In addition to growing cotton, peanuts and corn, Ashley also grows cucumbers on contract that are used for pickles. The cucumber crop is planted when the ground becomes warm enough in March and matures up until the third week of May or first

While Ashley knows the necessity of being diversified, he does have a favorite crop. "I like cotton the best because I know what cotton does from the time it germinates from seed until the time you take it to the gin.

Ashley’s wife, Kim, has a full plate taking care of the books and their three children, Garrett, 6, Halleigh, 3 and Natalie, 1. Kim didn’t grow up on a farm, but she did grow up in the country and says she spent time cropping tobacco, like many south Georgia teenagers.

"I’m glad we’re raising our children on a farm. They love to be outside and play and watch all of the farming operations take place. I think it instills good qualities in them to watch hard work going on."

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And the winners are from...

Newton County -- Instead of complaining about the urban growth encroaching farmland in their county, Keith and Sandi Mitcham decided to use it to their advantage. While they have traditionally grown hay for horse owners and run an average of 1,100 stocker cattle on their farm, this year they planted a 4.1 acre corn maze and branched out into the agritainment business.

“After visiting another young farmer in our district who did this last year, we did the research and realized we had the perfect place and audience for this,” Sandi explains.

The Mitchams had originally planned to open the maze to adults and school groups, but Hurricane Frances blew down most of the corn stalks, forcing them to rethink their marketing strategy. Since the stalks were bent at knee level, the Mitchams figured elementary students would

“It’s been a surprise what a hit it’s been even with the corn blown over. I thought people would be disappointed, but people have gone into the maze, stayed in there for up to 45 minutes and have still come back out the entrance,” Keith said.

Sons Austin, 12, and Kade, 3, have enthusiastically helped out with this

In addition to adding a source of income to their farm, the Mitchams’ diversification into agritainment has allowed them to talk to their customers about agriculture.

“The number of people moving in here makes you think about how your operation is run from the way they perceive the smell of cattle to dealing with cattle getting out of pastures,” Keith said.

Active members of the Newton County Farm Bureau Young Farmer group, Keith says he values the organization for representing farmers on issues such as animal identification. “This is really going to affect me because I buy cattle from so many places. It’s important to have Farm Bureau on your side for things like this."

In photo at right, Keith and Sandi accept the state Young Farmer Achievement award from Georgia Farm Bureau president Wayne Dollar.

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