Landon Ohe, Marshall Ohe and Allison Berg. (WOC SWCD)
Rothsay, MN – Three siblings from Rothsay are being recognized for their outstanding conservation efforts by West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
Marshall Ohe, Landon Ohe, and Allie Berg have been named this year’s West Otter Tail SWCD Outstanding Conservationists of the Year. Farm Bill Technician Jacob Nelson says the recognition should come as no surprise, as their family has a history of outstanding land stewardship. Their father, Orland Ohe, won the same award back in 1993.
After the siblings took over the day-to-day operations of the farm, they noticed a few neighbors had been implementing cover crops and strip-till practices on their fields. Their curiosity led them to attend several soil health meetings, and in 2017, they decided to try their hand at planting cover crops on their wheat fields after harvest.
After realizing the potential value the cover crops had for cattle feed, they started planting wide row corn, inter-seeding cover crops and integrating livestock on their fields. They have also converted to strip-till and no-till practices. Some of their tillable acres have been seeded into perennial pastures and the use of full season annual forage mixes help extend the grazing season. The stockpiled forages and the use of bale grazing have helped reduce winter feed costs.
Over the years, the siblings have enrolled in both State and Federal Programs through the NRCS and SWCD offices. Ultimately, Nelson says the siblings’ decision to implement these practices has helped them increase yields, improve soil health, and reduce labor and input costs. The West Otter Tail SWCD would like to congratulate the Ohe and Berg Families for their contributions to conservation.
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