Local farmer, Shirley Needham, middle, of Kern Woodlands was one of 42 farmers to receive the Indiana River-Friendly Farmer Award this year. Photo provided by Megan Malott.

By Megan Malott
Executive Director Fulton County SWCD

INDIANA — Indiana’s Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, addressed the 2023 Indiana River Friendly Farmers at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. This award, hosted by the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, honors farmers statewide for the implementation of conservation practices protecting Indiana’s natural resources, specifically waterways and soil health.

Nominated by the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District, local farmer, Shirley Needham of Kern Woodlands was one of 42 farmers receiving this award this year.
Randy Kron, president of Indiana Farm Bureau, and several other Indiana Conservation Partner leaders offered thanks and appreciation to these farmers and landowners, who go the extra mile in protecting Indiana’s natural resources.

The three family members, who own Kern Woodlands LLC, have had lifetime involvement in environmental issues. Dr. Patricia Holmgren is a retired botanist. Bill Kern majored in forestry at Purdue.

Until recently, Needham was a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (birds and bats) and has released many birds and bats on the property. Their father purchased the land with the specific purpose of raising pine trees for Christmas tree sales. The trees love sandy soil and require good drainage. All three farms were used for large-scale tree growing for approximately 40 years.

Riverfront wetlands (94 acres) were put into permanent conservation easements. Four ponds were dug and stocked with native fish. Stands of white pine, walnut, hickory, Kentucky coffee tree, multiple species of oaks and many others were allowed to remain standing and vernal ponds encouraged.

When their father, Bob Kern, retired from tree farming, most of the active tree growing land was converted to crop farming. They currently have a tenant farmer growing soybeans and corn. A sustainable cropping system is a management strategy protecting natural resources and improves the soil. All the lands are very sandy, weedy, and drain rapidly. As far back as she can trace, they were not used for crops, but were large dairy farms.

One of the larger barns still standing has been improved and is currently home to approximately 300 big brown bats.

Owl boxes and kestrel boxes have been placed in several locations. To increase wildlife, pollinator habitats and improve our soil health and water quality, we utilize conservation best management practices. With the increased dryness and lack of rain, we stay current on mowing fire lanes. Between the dripline of the woods and the crops, we require the tenant farmer to leave approximately 40-60 yards of grasses and small shrubs for turkey and quail nesting habitat. The ponds provide nesting spots for geese, ducks and herons and a safe resting place for migratory species. They also maintain bluebird boxes, which provide homes for other small songbirds, such as tree swallows.

The white-tail deer are prolific, so they allow contracted hunting in defined areas. The use of cover crops and no-till practices is helping to amend and to counteract the high-acid content from the pine tree growing. It’s improving and will continue to improve over time. Due to the conservation easements, there are large strips of trees native shrubs and grasses. This helps prevent erosion and improve water filtration. They are hopeful all the riverbanks and frontage wetlands will continue to be protected long after they are gone.

We recently have signed a contract with Acres Land Trust to donate/sell approximately 130-acre farm on the Tippecanoe River. The portion, which has historically been farmed, will be reverted to native trees, grasses, and wildflowers. It will eventually be open to the public for nature walks and education. Needham’s advice to new farmers or new landowners is to intimately know your soil and drainages.

Learn what wildlife lives on the property and prepare to co-exist. Talk to an agency available to you to assist with no-till practices and especially cover crops. Above all, love the land and love what you do.

Sponsored by Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Corn Marketing Council/Indiana Soybean Alliance, the River Friendly Farmer Award program began in 2000 and has honored over 1,100 Indiana farms.

Fulton County SWCD has a $20,000 Clean Water Indiana grant for a cover-crop cost share program; stop by the office and apply. We need more applicants in Fulton County. Applications are due Nov. 1.

View a complete list of recipients here.