Iotts Awarded Conservation Farmer of the Year at Conference
By Renee Penny, District Manager, Kalkaska Conservation District
On November 7, 2024, the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) hosted its annual conference at Shanty Creek in Bellaire. Over 250 conservation district staff and partners from across the state gathered to discuss upcoming conservation and environmental issues, learn together, and celebrate achievements with one another.
Photo By Iott Seed Farm, 2024 Harvesting of the Blackberry-variety potatoes for Great Lakes Potato Chip Co.
The MACD award luncheon included recognition of Iott Seed Farms as its Conservation Farm of the Year, an award reserved for an outstanding farmer and/or farm family for implementing long-term conservation practices on their land. This award seeks to recognize a farmer and/or farm family for implementing continuous and ongoing conservation practices, including: 1) Regenerative Agriculture practices that improve soil health, minimize soil erosion, and mitigate sediment, nutrients, and bacteria in surface waters, 2) Recognized as a conservation leader and influencer within the local community and across the state of Michigan, 3) Participates in resource management practices in cooperation with the local conservation district, state or national conservation programs, 4) Supports the mission of Michigan Conservation Districts as the local providers of natural resource management services that help Michiganders conserve their land for a healthier and economically stronger Michigan.
The Iott family has been farming in Michigan for at least five generations, dating back to the 1860s. They moved to Northern Michigan in 1974 when “Dad” (aka Ralph) and Uncle Jim had a vision and purchased 500 acres in Kalkaska, after successfully farming in Monroe County for many years. They built their first potato storage facility in 1975, which held the 1.5 million pounds of potatoes they grew that year. The following year, they installed their first center-pivot irrigation system that irrigated about 150 acres. To date, they can irrigate 2,000 acres, grow up to 27 million pounds of potatoes each year, and have built a storage facility that holds 25 million pounds of potatoes.
According to Renee Penny, Kalkaska Conservation District Manager, “It’s been impressive to watch them build the farm, taking active steps to be role models and stewards of the soil and water. They have completed many field trials to discover the best cover crop mixture to help build soil health and suppress nematode and pest pressures on crops.” The farm has been implementing a three-year rotation on the 600 acres of potatoes they grow annually. The longer rotation allows the cover crops to work more efficiently. It also limits the amount of tillage, fuel, and other inputs necessary, which is a core achievement for soil regeneration and soil health.
Just a few years ago they voluntarily installed three monitoring wells on the farm to ensure they are using water responsibly and not harming the aquifer for the neighbors and community who also rely on it. With Kalkaska County being the headwaters for three watershed systems (Manistee, Boardman-Ottaway, and Rapid Rivers), this is an important goal for the Iotts. Over the last 3 years, this initiative has expanded to include The Midwest Water Stewards collecting data and working with local schools to study and learn about aquifers, irrigation, and surface water quality.
In taking so many active steps for responsible farming they have been MAEAP verified since 2015. They are MAEAP verified in both cropping and farmstead systems. The cropping system highlights safe environmental practices around their crops and waterways in relation to what they put on the ground. The Farmstead system looks at how things are stored properly like fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides on the farm.
In true family farm style, employing seven full-time employees and a seasonal crew for harvest time, they take on fun side projects that continue to fuel their passion for farming. They support local food pantries and initiatives like Project Feed the Kids, Karen’s Pantry at Kalkaska High School, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. To further support students, they award The Ralph Iott Hands-On Skilled Trades and Agricultural Scholarship to help them pursue education beyond high school in agriculture or the skilled trades.
The Farm is also known to have fun with unique side projects on the farm. They grow Blackberry variety potatoes for purple potato chips for Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. The farm also works with a family member who partners with a local distillery in Traverse City to make North River Vodka, which was awarded a silver medal by the American Distilling Institute in its 2022 International Spirits Competition.
Penny states, “The Iott’s strive to be a good water steward and soil health champion in the agricultural community. They also work closely with and give back to the local community and students whenever possible. We are very proud to work with them at the Kalkaska Conservation District.”
On November 7, 2024, the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) hosted its annual conference at Shanty Creek in Bellaire. Over 250 conservation district staff and partners from across the state gathered to discuss upcoming conservation and environmental issues, learn together, and celebrate achievements with one another.
The MACD award luncheon included recognition of Iott Seed Farms as its Conservation Farm of the Year, an award reserved for an outstanding farmer and/or farm family for implementing long-term conservation practices on their land. This award seeks to recognize a farmer and/or farm family for implementing continuous and ongoing conservation practices, including: 1) Regenerative Agriculture practices that improve soil health, minimize soil erosion, and mitigate sediment, nutrients, and bacteria in surface waters, 2) Recognized as a conservation leader and influencer within the local community and across the state of Michigan, 3) Participates in resource management practices in cooperation with the local conservation district, state or national conservation programs, 4) Supports the mission of Michigan Conservation Districts as the local providers of natural resource management services that help Michiganders conserve their land for a healthier and economically stronger Michigan.
The Iott family has been farming in Michigan for at least five generations, dating back to the 1860s. They moved to Northern Michigan in 1974 when “Dad” (aka Ralph) and Uncle Jim had a vision and purchased 500 acres in Kalkaska, after successfully farming in Monroe County for many years. They built their first potato storage facility in 1975, which held the 1.5 million pounds of potatoes they grew that year. The following year, they installed their first center-pivot irrigation system that irrigated about 150 acres. To date, they can irrigate 2,000 acres, grow up to 27 million pounds of potatoes each year, and have built a storage facility that holds 25 million pounds of potatoes.
According to Renee Penny, Kalkaska Conservation District Manager, “It’s been impressive to watch them build the farm, taking active steps to be role models and stewards of the soil and water. They have completed many field trials to discover the best cover crop mixture to help build soil health and suppress nematode and pest pressures on crops.” The farm has been implementing a three-year rotation on the 600 acres of potatoes they grow annually. The longer rotation allows the cover crops to work more efficiently. It also limits the amount of tillage, fuel, and other inputs necessary, which is a core achievement for soil regeneration and soil health.
Just a few years ago they voluntarily installed three monitoring wells on the farm to ensure they are using water responsibly and not harming the aquifer for the neighbors and community who also rely on it. With Kalkaska County being the headwaters for three watershed systems (Manistee, Boardman-Ottaway, and Rapid Rivers), this is an important goal for the Iotts. Over the last 3 years, this initiative has expanded to include The Midwest Water Stewards collecting data and working with local schools to study and learn about aquifers, irrigation, and surface water quality.
In taking so many active steps for responsible farming they have been MAEAP verified since 2015. They are MAEAP verified in both cropping and farmstead systems. The cropping system highlights safe environmental practices around their crops and waterways in relation to what they put on the ground. The Farmstead system looks at how things are stored properly like fuel, fertilizer, and pesticides on the farm.
In true family farm style, employing seven full-time employees and a seasonal crew for harvest time, they take on fun side projects that continue to fuel their passion for farming. They support local food pantries and initiatives like Project Feed the Kids, Karen’s Pantry at Kalkaska High School, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. To further support students, they award The Ralph Iott Hands-On Skilled Trades and Agricultural Scholarship to help them pursue education beyond high school in agriculture or the skilled trades.
The Farm is also known to have fun with unique side projects on the farm. They grow Blackberry variety potatoes for purple potato chips for Great Lakes Potato Chip Co. The farm also works with a family member who partners with a local distillery in Traverse City to make North River Vodka, which was awarded a silver medal by the American Distilling Institute in its 2022 International Spirits Competition.
Penny states, “The Iott’s strive to be a good water steward and soil health champion in the agricultural community. They also work closely with and give back to the local community and students whenever possible. We are very proud to work with them at the Kalkaska Conservation District.”