Robert Frantz uses his Bobcat to load some bales of hay onto his tractor. This one of many farm chores Frantz does to keep his farm up and running.

Text and Photos
By Marissa Sweatland
InkFreeNews

Robert Frantz, Warsaw, was awarded the Conservation Farmer Award at the 67th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, held back in February.

WARSAW — Robert Frantz, a life-long Warsaw area resident, was honored at the 67th annual Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District held back in February. He was awarded the Conservation Farmer Award.

Frantz was awarded the honor due to his adoption and maintenance of cover crops, his dedication to nutrient management and no till on his over 380 acres. Frantz has been farming all 86 years of his life.

One of the ways Frantz uses conservation matters on his farm is by maintaining cover crops. Cover crops can be beneficial to farmers in many ways, including improving soil health, managing weeds and enhancing crop yields.

Some common cover crops include legumes, such as clover, vetch and peas, which can help fix nitrogen in the soil which is beneficial for subsequent crops; grasses, such as rye, oats and barley, which can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure; brassicas, such as radishes and turnips, which can help break up compacted soil and suppress weeds; and buckwheat, which can be used for its quick growth and ability to suppress weeds. Each type of cover crop offers different benefits, so farmers select them based on their specific farm needs and goals.

“Right now, we got an autumn mix of radishes down,” Frantz mentioned.

Frantz utilizes various methods of nutrient management on his over 380- acre farm to promote soil health. Healthy soil has balanced nutrients that help maintain soil structure and fertility, promoting long-term soil health.

“Soil testing is important,” Frantz said. “If you want good crops, you need good soil.”

There are a variety of benefits to maintaining healthy soil nutrients. Healthy soil produces improved crop yields due to the crops receiving essential nutrients they need to grow and flourish.

Additionally, by applying the right amount of nutrients, farmers can reduce waste and lower costs, which can be associated with over fertilization. Proper nutrient management can help minimize runoff, reducing the risk of water pollution and promoting environmental protections.

Maintaining nutrient balance supports sustainable farming practices by ensuring the soil remains healthy and fertile for future farming generations. Nutrient management is vital for both the economic and environmental sustainability of farming.

“You can’t grow nothing without good soil,” Frantz stated. “The better the soil, the better the yields.”

Frantz opts to utilize no-till farming on his land for a variety of benefits, including soil structure. No-till farming can help maintain soil structure and prevents soil compaction, which can help improve water infiltration and root growth.

Not tilling farmland can help control erosion. It reduces soil erosion by keeping the soil covered with crop residues, which protect it from being whipped away by wind or washed away by water. No till can preserve soil moisture, making it particular beneficial to farmers who farm in drought-prone areas. No-till farming also is cost efficient for the farmer because it eliminates the need for plowing, which can save on fuel and labor costs.

“Tilling often brings up stone,” Frantz explained. “No till prevents that.”

Being named this year’s SWCD Conservation Farmer Award is not the first time Frantz has been honored for his dedication to farming. In 2020, The Frantz farm became a Hoosier Homestead Farm, which means it has been owned by the same family for over 100 years. The award is presented by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. The Frantz farm dates back to 1918, and in 2020, it received the Centennial Award for 100 years.