For nearly three decades, conserving natural resources has been a way of life for Rodney Vorhees, Kansas farmer and CTIC's newest Champion of Conservation. Integrating conservation practices into his rangeland and pasture operation was first a necessity and then became a passion for Vorhees.
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Vorhees uses a bale processor as an alternative to confined feeding. Cattle are moved every day to distribute manure which helps to consume the stockpiled forage, eliminates muddy areas, reduces erosion, improves water quality and helps cattle perform better. Pictured is clover baled in seed which is a good way to get a stand of clover.
Photo courtesy of Rodney Vorhees |
In the early 1980s, many life-long Kansas farmers struggled to stay in business, according to Anita Smith, district manager of Wilson County Conservation District. "Rod was convinced raising non-traditional crops with innovative management strategies was necessary for economic survival," says Smith.
For Vorhees, it was the only decision possible. "In order to survive, I had to make some changes," says Vorhees.
In the Beginning
Vorhees didn't grow up on a farm, but was exposed to farming at a very early age. "My granddads were farmers, and my father was a farmer," says Vorhees. When Vorhees was a little boy, his father supplemented the farm income by working as a high school teacher. Soon, the family moved from the farm to the city so that his farther could attend medical school.
"I absolutely hated living in the city after being on the farm," says Vorhees. The family's goal was always to get back to the farm full-time. That goal was achieved in 1978, when Vorhees decided to make full-time farming his occupation.
Vorhees began operation of Lazy VJ Farms with roughly 600 acres at the rim of scenic Flint Hills, in southeast Kansas. He raised cows and calves and grew traditional row crops, including soybeans and wheat. "In the early '80s, when the farm economy declined and interest rates got really high, we acquired additional acres and began to see that it wasn't profitable to farm with traditional row crops without farm subsidies," Vorhees says.
Dealing with the Issues
Vorhees also saw that being flexible and trying new things was the best way to find success on his farm.
Wanting to reduce erosion on marginal land, Vorhees began to plant crops like creeping alfalfa and brome. "We did so well with those that we gradually changed to forage type crops," he says. Then, needing additional hay crops, he planted pearl millet and triticale. "I could see we were much better off with permanent vegetation, so we converted roughly 1,000 acres of cropland to permanent vegetation."
Vorhees uses a conservation tillage tool called an AerWay to incorporate soil amendments. "Broadcast seeders, flexible tine harrows and no-till drills were used to renovate or establish permanent vegetative cover on all cropland acres on Lazy VJ Farms," Smith adds.
Through experimentation and adaptation, Vorhees found what works. He credits his father and the way he was raised for his ability to make the necessary changes to ensure productivity and economical viability. "I have a different paradigm than other people," says Vorhees. Because he didn't grow up year after year with the same crop rotation, Vorhees believes it was easier for him to make changes to the operation.
Set the Bar High
His goals, however, have always been the same. He manages his land to improve soil and water and to protect wildlife and its habitat. Today, Vorhees manages more than 2,000 acres - 950 acres of native rangeland, 650 acres of cool-season pasture and hay, and 400 acres exclusively for deer and turkey.
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Vorhees feeds treats to "Miss Management," a pet cow who was bottle-fed as a baby and raised by the family. Named Miss Management because she doesn't know she's a cow, Vorhees says, "She gets to stay as long as she wants."
Photo courtesy of Rodney Vorhees |
Vorhees maintains terraces and waterways, performs soil tests and limits the use of pesticides. Buffer strips, riparian areas, grade stabilization structures and improved grazing distributions are used to address water quality issues. Air quality is addressed with burning management, ground cover and grazing management so that no area develops muddy feedlot conditions. Grazing management includes improving rotations, adjusting stocking rates and cross fencing.
When soil tests performed on newly acquired land revealed low organic matter and poor fertility, he opted not to enroll the land in the Conservation Reserve Program, but to renovate with seed harvested from his own existing grass stands.
"He established productive grassland for utilization of the cow herd and the growing business of direct marketing of grass-raised beef under the trademark name, Eco Beef," says Smith. "It is Rod's belief that caring for the ecosystem is his business and his business is his home."
Innovation is also in Vorhees' repertoire of management methods. Vorhees uses a unique method of supplying supplemental feed while cows are wintered on stockpiled fescue growth. A bale processor is used to shred large round bales of hay, creating a windrow of hay on the ground, which cattle readily eat instead of pulling hay from a round bale bound with wire or nylon. Each day, feed is moved to a new spot, preventing concentration of cows in one area and avoiding muddy feedlot like conditions. This method also distributes manure evenly, which helps to reduce polluted runoff, improve soil quality and create healthier conditions for the herd. In addition, when the feeding hay is clover that was baled in the seed stage, seeding new stands is also accomplished during this process.
Dale Kirkham, Kansas Rural Center field coordinator, compares Vorhees to Aldo Leopold and Chief Seattle. "Vorhees is a true steward of the land," says Kirkham. "His ecological approach to land use assures that all aspects of the land - soil, water, plants and wildlife - are considered and balanced in his management decisions." Kirkham asserts that Vorhees' stewardship is reflected in the Kansas landscape. "He is a strong role model for anyone who wishes to improve the land."
Smith agrees, saying, "Now when walking through fields, once infertile and low in organic matter, earth worm castings are seen in abundance and healthy plant populations cover the landscape."
Vorhees says he tries to mimic the native eco-system. "My philosophy is there is a community of plants out there and I'm concerned about mono-culture. If you look at nature, diversity is advantageous."
Sharing his Knowledge
In Kansas, Vorhees is well known as a champion of conservation. In fact, in 1987, Lazy VJ Farms received the Kansas Bankers Award for conservation achievements. "He is a recognized leader in grassland and grazing management in Kansas," says Kirkham, "and he shares his experience and knowledge of improved grazing practices with many others through tours and individual contacts."
Conservation Technology Information Center's Champion of Conservation series recognizes individuals for their dedication to making conservation successful and profitable on their farms. Champions implement comprehensive systems of conservation practices, manage operations for environmental and economic benefits and share their innovative techniques and knowledge with others.
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Vorhees serves on the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and as elected chairman of the Wilson County Conservation District Board. "Vorhees has provided leadership guiding policy for state funded programs that place over $10 million dollars of state funds on the ground each year," says Greg A. Foley, executive director of Kansas State Conservation Commission.
In spite of his many involvements in farming and other conservation activities, Vorhees always finds time to assist with tours and field days for students and others in his community. "I can talk with sixth and seventh graders and make an impression upon them that they share with their parents and grandparents. Our best solution for caring for our world and our environment is to educate the youth."
Vorhees says the old adage of taking care things for future generations is true. But he also believes it is our responsibility to educate them. "You cannot legislate conservation; it's got to be driven by ethical motivation if it's really going to succeed," he says. "For us it's a lifestyle."
