George Schaefer

George Schaefer had no idea he would return to his family’s century farm in Kalona when he took a job in San Francisco in 1975. He returned in 2000 for his brother Steve’s wedding, who had taken over the operation after their father. After traveling the world, George felt the pull back to his home, and he joined the operation full-time, raising 900 acres of organic and non-organic crops and beef cattle.

George attributes Washington County’s high adoption of cover crops to the strong leadership of both farmers and conservation practitioners. With many of their acres along the English River, the Schaefer’s have seen the power of cover crops firsthand, in their ability to hold the soil even when the river floods.

Building a Culture of Conservation: 

“What troubles me more anything else is the lack of acceptance of no-till farming and cover crops. I don’t understand what people are thinking when they rip their fields up. Even though there is so much out there about the benefits of cover crops, we’re getting to the point where our only option is that the government will have to take away money from those who don’t do it.”

Contact Information

George Schaefer
1399 Palm Ave.
Kalona, Iowa 52247
319/530-9560
g.schaefer00@gmail.com