Boettcher Family Farms
Nestled among the Iowa Great Lakes in rural Dickinson County, Boettcher Family Farms is unlike most farms in Iowa. Emily and her father, John, take great pride in taking care not only of the land they farm, but the many water bodies nearby. Growing 650 acres of corn, soybeans, and alfalfa along with their beef cattle herd, the Boettcher’s understand the importance that their actions have on the surrounding environment.
John began practicing no-till and strip-till more than 20 years ago and has planted cover crops for more than 10 years. Returning to the farm in 2009, Emily quickly learned the ins and outs of the operation. Though she has no formal agricultural education, Emily has learned through hands-on experience and has become an integral part of the family farm. Over the years, the pair has been able to maintain productivity while improving their farming practices to better the environment.
As John looks toward retirement, Emily prepares to continue the legacy of conservation on Boettcher Family Farms. Her involvement in organizations such as the Northwest Iowa Agriculture Stewardship Alliance and the Dickinson County Soil and Water Conservation District keep her in touch with the issues and opportunities ahead for conservation and agriculture. Moving forward, the Boettchers hope to keep caring for the land to keep it healthy for everyone in Dickinson County, now and into the future.
Building a Culture of Conservation:
“It’s our job to do the conservation that we can do, so we try to do our best doing what we can for the Iowa Great Lakes watershed.”
Contact Information
Boettcher Family Farms
712-330-7994
boejo218@gmail.com