DeGraff area resident Steve Schlumbohm jokes that he has been farming since he was “2 years old.”
The now-72-year-old’s parents moved to a farm and homestead in Miami Township in 1950, and today, the family farm operation spans five generations and counting.
In addition to that longevity, Steve and his sons, Chris and Micah Schlumbohm, grandson Kameron Schlumbohm, and their fellow 4S Farms operator Dave Strayer’s also are leaving a legacy as good stewards of their land, including the utilization of cover crops on more than 70 percent of their 2,700 acres of cropland.
To recognize their dedicated efforts, 4S Farms was named the 2020 Conservationalist Farm Family of the Year Wednesday during the Logan Soil and Water Conservation District and Logan County Farm Bureau’s customer appreciation luncheon outdoors at the 324 County Road 11 property.
Typically, the award is presented at the organizations’ joint annual meeting and dinner at Winner’s Harvest Barn, but this year, COVID-19 precautions altered plans for a larger indoor gathering, explained Jennifer Snipes, Logan SWCD administrative assistant, and Jill Smith, Logan County Farm Bureau director.
Instead, customers and community members were invited to stop by for the luncheon to either eat in-person in the outdoor setting or receive a to-go meal, along with annual updates from both organizations.
The Soil and Water Conservation District’s presentation of the farm family award this year was still important in the different setting, Snipes related.
Steve Schlumbohm said in addition to his younger years spent assisting on the family farm, he began his full-time work there in 1970 after graduating from Hiram College, where he studied economics and played football.
The farm initially included a dairy when Steve first began his work there, but now it is primarily a grain farm operation, with corn and soybeans planted in locations spanning from DeGraff to West Liberty and Zanesfield. 4S Farms also produces hay for as a side operation, along with raising registered Red Angus beef cattle.
In his early years of farming, Steve led the family to transition to a no-till operation, recognizing the benefits for erosion control, improved soil structure and reduction in soil compaction.
Now with the farm’s focus on cover crops, the family recognizes the effective way to promote and protect soil health and fertility. The cover crops also help control weed pressure, which reduces labor, equipment and chemical costs of weed control.
A reduced chemical application for weed control and soil erosion provided by cover crops also has the added benefit of improving water quality, SWCD officials said.
The 4S Farms operators said they are fortunate to be farmers in spite of the challenges, and Steve is known to say, “It is often too wet, too dry, too cold and too hot to farm successfully.”
SWCD officials related that the award winners take the “long view” on farming — preserving and improving cropland productivity and profitability.
“Building year after year, layering in their farming experiences, successes and an occasional failure into the long-term management of their farming operation. Being good stewards, embracing new ideas and technology and applying best management practices is the backbone of their farm plan.
“They plan to leave a successful farming legacy to their next generation of family farmers.”
Also during the luncheon, the SWCD recognized District Administrator and Technician Steve Searson for his 30 years of work at the organization.
Snipes related Searson has many natural on-the-job talents, including abilities to assist area land owners with consultations regarding best management practices for waterways and cover crops, along with pond site consultations and agriculture pollution abatement investigations.
Prior to beginning new home construction, individuals also are encouraged to contact him before they build to ensure they aren’t creating the new structure on the flood plain. The SWCD Office can be reached at (937) 404-3143.
The Four-County Farm Bureau Office for Auglaize, Logan, Mercer and Shelby counties can be reached at (567) 356-4114 or (877) 775-7642.