Justin and Beth Jordan

 

Contact Information

Justin and Beth Jordan
1750 10th Ave.
Lacona, IA 50139
jordanacres@hotmail.com
515-210-9922

Justin and Beth Jordan, Warren County residents, started farming in 2000. Justin grew up farming and working in construction alongside his dad and grandpa, saving up the funds to buy his first farm right out of high school. Today the Jordans raise corn, soybeans, and hay and rent pasture ground to a neighbor. In addition to farming, Justin works as a city building inspector and is a Marion County Soil and Water District Commissioner.

After purchasing the land, Justin utilized different cost-share programs to build terraces and rebuild waterways. In 2007, all the acres Justin farms were switched to a no-till system, and he continued looking for more ways to boost the organic matter content. He started using cover crops under a Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contract and changed the type of fertilizer used. With erosion issues gone, the land has great water infiltration. Another way Justin has added conservation to the farm is by rotating small areas in and out of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Justin works to incorporate practices that meet his goal of zero erosion while watching the bottom line. He is cognizant of time requirements, cost of practices, and just what works best on that piece of land.

Building a Culture of Conservation: 

“I’m really interested in trying to farm more in touch with nature and minimize the need for things that aren’t nat“We want to create a place where we all work together,” said Beth and Justin, “There’s a balance between raising food, having wildlife, and preserving the prairie remnants.”

“In farming there is no one size fits all and that is the same for conservation practices,” stated Justin, “What works for me might not work for someone in Kansas, Maine, or even my neighbor.”