Michigan Farmers Expand Cropland 210 Miles Away

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John Gough, a veteran no-tiller and strip-tiller from Deckerville, Michigan, knew he needed to add more acres when his son returned to the farm in 1998 after college. Rather than compete for local land, the Goughs decided to expand their operation by farming fields 210 miles away from their home base.

Why it matters

As farmland becomes increasingly scarce and competitive in many regions, some farmers are looking to expand their operations by cultivating fields located far from their home base. This story highlights how advances in no-till and strip-till farming techniques, as well as improved transportation logistics, are enabling farmers to successfully manage cropland at significant distances from their main operations.

The details

With no need to transport heavy tillage equipment, the Goughs have been able to efficiently manage their distant fields using their no-till and strip-till equipment. This has allowed them to expand their operation without getting into bidding wars for local land.

• John Gough's son returned to the farm in 1998 after college.
• The Goughs began farming fields 210 miles away from their Deckerville home base.