Technological Capabilities of the Crop Operation…

Van Der Geest Farm corn silage pile     

The feed is harvested from over 4,000 acres of owned and rented land in an 8-mile radius. Approximately 1/2 of the land is rented, which gives added revenue to land owners.
The cropland is tested in 2.5-acre increments for nutrient composition.  The fields are then organically fertilized according to the needs of the plants.  The cropland is also managed with the use of highly developed Nutrient Management Plans, which regulate the location and amount of organic nutrients that should be applied.  These Plans are closely regulated through the DNR and the Soil Conservation Service.