Improving soil health through sustainable farming

Shawn Feikema combines tradition with modern soil practices

Meet Shawn Feikema, a third-generation farmer from Luverne, Minnesota, who operates a 7,000-acre farm alongside his family. Shawn's daily mission is shaped by two questions: how to maximize efficiency and how to leave the farm better for future generations. His approach reflects a balance of tradition and modern sustainability.

Shawn's farm produces corn, soybeans, small grains, and hay, while also managing a cattle feedlot that markets 6,000 head of cattle annually.

The farm employs a systems approach, creating a symbiotic relationship between crop production and livestock. Manure from the feedlot serves as an organic fertilizer, replacing commercial alternatives and enriching soil health.

“It’s really a systems approach to soil health is how I look at it,” Shawn explained. “We use everything the soil gives us, and we return it back to the field.”

Recent regulatory changes in Minnesota restricted manure hauling during peak months, prompting Shawn to build a stacking pad for storage. With support from USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the farm installed a waste storage facility and other conservation practices, covering 90% of the cost.

This project resolved a major challenge, ensuring the farm’s long-term sustainability. Shawn emphasizes his core principle: “We do the best we can with what God has given us. This is the Earth he’s given us, and we’re to make the most of it.”

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