Ross & Jason Thomann
Father and son team Ross & Jason Thomann do their part to support conservation in Louisa County by extensively utilizing cover crops and no till on all of their crops. Ross commented, “it may look ugly, but it makes the ground better. It cuts down on the weeds a lot and it really helps with erosion problems”. “When fixing some tile, we had 3” of cover crop growth above, but the roots went 2 feet down. That really helps with drainage and erosion when we have the heavy rains, and it helps gets the moisture in the soil when we have dry times.”
Ross started his farming career at age 21 when he bought his first farm. He passed his love of farming to his son Jason who farms his own crop acres and hogs. Between Ross and Jason they have over 2,000 crop acres and raise cattle and hogs.
Steve Martin
Steve Martin’s old Homestead farm on O Avenue just East of Columbus Junction is an 80+ acre oasis for wildlife. On the farm you will find all types of native pollinating plants like Black Eyed Susan, Cone Flower, Butterfly Milkweed, and a huge amount of Common Milkweed that is the mainstay habitat for monarch butterflies. Butterflies, birds and bees abound in this beautiful CRP area. Steve also has a large amount of Quail Safe habitat where several coveys of quail reside.
Brad Jipp
Brad and Grace Jipp have done an extensive amount of woodland work since purchasing their 88-acre farm in Letts about 5 ½ years ago. In the past couple years, the Jipp’s have removed huge several acres worth of invasive trees and plants and have planted lots of beneficial trees and shrubs in their place. They have opened up areas for wildflowers and created some very large pollinator plots, and they have added two nice sized food plots. The acreage has become a haven for wildlife and pollinators.
Joel & Christie White
Joel and Christie purchased this 5-acre farm in 2006 where they built their home. In 2006 they decided the area needed a windbreak. The windbreak has matured and provides protection from wind and snow while providing habitat for many birds and other animals. The White’s also installed a wind turbine and solar panels that provide sustainable power to their home and farm.
Dan & Sue Vogeler
Dan and Sue Vogeler were chosen the winners of the Wetland Habitat Owner Award. The Vogeler’s 135-acre farm is located approximately five miles west of Columbus Junction.
The Vogeler’s have created a system of multiple ponds, wetlands, pollinator sites, native grass plots, food plots and shelter belts that provide habitat for numerous types of insects and animals. Approximately 95% of their acres filter through a pond or wetland before the water enters Long Creek.
Dan and Sue also have numerous nesting boxes around their property for martins, bluebirds, wood ducks, goose and osprey. It’s a beautiful park like setting that is a haven for wildlife of every kind.
Kathy Vance
Kathy Jolly Vance was born in Iowa but raised in Northern California. She spent her school years in the Redwoods and at the ocean and her summers in Morning Sun, Iowa along Honey Creek on her grandparents’ farm.
After completing a Radio Broadcasting Degree at San Francisco State and a Masters in Public Administration at CSU Sacramento, Kathy and her family moved to that same farm in 1994 to continue both the farming and conservation work started by her great-great grandparents in 1842.
Kathy has been providing conservation education to Louisa County since 2006 when she became the County Director for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She says the best part of her job is working with partners who protect and interpret the special resource area that is Louisa County, and extending that information to anyone else that is interested in learning more!
Bob & Lori Davis RLD Farms
Bob & Lori Davis have lived on their farm since 1958, and Bob’s family farm across the road has been in the family since 1884. The Davis’ raise corn, soybeans and cattle. They use lots of different practices on their farm including: No-till; Cover Crops every year; Waterways; Hay along the creek beds wherever erosion is a problem; Buffer strips and lots of Terraces.
The practices that the Davis’ use are particularly important due to their proximity to the Long Creek Watershed. All of these practices help to keep nutrients from leaching into the watershed while creating a beneficial environment for the soil and crops.
Tim & Linda Verink
Tim & Linda have most of their land in CRP Pollinator with some turnip and radishes for the deer. Tim commented “the first year it looked pretty rough, but the second year after a good burning, it really exploded”.
It is a beautiful area with a good variety of pollinating plants. The area is full of wildlife! Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Bobcat, and as of 3 years ago, several covies of quail.
There are butterflies of every kind, loads of bees, and 100’s of hummingbirds will come in the evening, at the same time to feed.. Tim has to put on glasses in the evening when all of the hummingbirds come to feed. They can get a little close. A couple years ago they had over 100 goldfinches roosting in the old tree in the yard
The Verink’s also have 390 acres in timber reserve and 68 acres in Kranston that is in Quail Safe. As of 2020 it was the Most northern Quail Safe in Iowa
Swinging Bridge Twyla Peters and Bev Nielson
Over the past few years Twyla and Bev have spearheaded the revitalization of the historic Swinging Bridge site. They have spent endless hours clearing out weeds, invasive trees and shrubs and replanted with beneficial trees and shrubs creating a nature park that the community can be proud of. With the help of the community they have created beautiful trails and gardens that offer great habitat for wildlife. Twyla was recently featured on the Today show with Hoda & Jenna.
Keith & Murphy Stigers
Keith & Murphy Stigers have a new 5-acre farm that they have owned for about 5 years. Shortly after purchasing the property they planted a nice windbreak that provides habitat for birds, bees and other wildlife. They also created a nice pollinator plot that is a great refuge for local pollinators.