On Griggs Farms LLC numerous different cover crops are utilized for many reasons. On some of the land that is farmed by the Griggs there is only three to four inches of topsoil, and below that is a fragipan layer. This layer of hard, compacted soil is a result from the last ice age and greatly limits the penetration of roots and even water past the top soil. This challenge has been mitigated with the use of cover crops. Angel rye grass has a large, intense root system and is used on Griggs farms to help break part the fragipan layer to allow for better movement of water and roots for the crops to follow. Another reason for the inclusivity of cover crops is the positive affect they have had on the soil organic matter content. With the use of cover crops Matt has seen his organic matter double since 2010 when he first introduced cover crops. The increase in organic matter has greatly increased the water holding capacity of the soil as well as nutrient availability. This is very beneficial to the Griggs fields as it is not feasible for them to implement irrigation systems, and they only get approximately 52 inches of rain a year. With the use of cover crops, the amount of nitrogen they need to apply to their cotton crop has decreased by around 20 lbs of N per acre. Having cover crops in the field year-round allows for more microbes to produce more usable nitrogen. 

Griggs Farms LLC is already unique in their cropping systems, while incorporating sustainable and precision agriculture into their day to day, they also deal with a challenge seldom seen in modern agriculture; increased residential pressure and small land parcels (their smallest under an acre). While most of their land use is rented in the area, Griggs Farms LLC still has a limited amount of area to work with, and to make use of their land they have to incorporate the most efficient cropping plan possible to maximize yields, and ecological benefit. Utilizing soil tests, intense cover cropping systems, and chicken litter as fertilizer, the Griggs do what they can to make the best positive impact on their soil health. Adding to the challenge, the soil type in their area is unique, with glacier activity in the last ice age only leaving them 3-4 inches of arable soil to plant their crops in.       

Griggs Farms LLC is adding a modern twist to their farming practices by bringing in a social media platform to share their unique style of agriculture. Matt claims his son and him were behind the idea, Matt especially taking to the idea from his love of Nickelback: Rockstar, and how it is a song perfect for a harvesting video. They are utilizing the farm channel to not only showcase their unique farming style but also help to educate other agricultural colleagues on practices that may not be as common elsewhere. Matt highlighted the point that he has had incredible feedback from comments on his channel from fellow farmers; even from other countries, claiming that his documentation of his practices have been a valuable resource to improve their own agricultural efficiencies.   

This afternoon led us to the Deanes Farm where we learnt about their crop, one of which being quite unique: peanuts. This farm is a third-generation crop farming operation run by Matt, Hunter, and Clay Deane. This farm consists of many acres of cotton, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. The area they farm was once a swamp that was converted into farmland in the early 1900s, leading to very sandy soil with readily available water 20 feet underground. In this area most fields are irrigated with well water allowing them to grow a mostly consistent crop every year even with very little rain. During school, Hunter had done some research on peanuts so when he graduated he brought this knowledge back to the family farm to try to consider this new avenue. From there, the peanut side of their business has grown in acres and off-farm processing has developed closer to their farm. The Deanes have worked with their local co-op to test their soil and create custom maps allowing for variable rate application of fertilizer. They have also used these maps to determine soil health and what inputs are needed to keep up or improve soil health. The Deanes have a two or three year rotation between peanuts and either cotton, corn or both, to benefit soil health and crop yields. They watch the market to see what crops will be profitable and this year this practice led to planting double the number of peanuts and cutting back on cotton. Overall, the Deanes farm is a very progressive farm that is always looking for ways to improve their farm sustainably.        

The Deanes were always growing the same crops as other farms in their area like corn, beans and cotton, but when Hunter Graduated from University, he used the knowledge he learned in school to help to improve the farm and open a new avenue for the farm. He discovered that peanuts grow best in sandy soils with lots of sunlight and water, and the Deanes had farmland that fit this criterion perfectly. The year he graduated they decided to start to grow peanuts in 2014. The Deanes were the first farm to grow peanuts in Missouri which came with its own set of challenges, including driving six hours to the closest processor. When they realized they found another crop to best utilize the given environment, they continued to farm peanuts to this day. Since then, they have increased acres planted of peanuts and found ways to improve their peanut yields.              

On the Deanes farm we learned the growing process of peanuts. They were the first farmer in Missouri to start growing peanuts. They did this as a trial, and it worked out well for them. They begin to plant peanuts in April, as peanut germination is heavily dependent on temperature, and they usually try to plant when soil temperature is at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Peanuts are a slower crop to plant. Matt and crew use the same planter used to plant corn, at around speeds of 3.5-4 miles per hour. They are only able to plant around 7-9 acres before they must refill the planter again. This is because the peanut seeds are so large, taking up a lot of space in the planter. Peanut plants flower above ground, and the pegs sprout out and push into the ground. Once they have burrowed, they swell and the peanuts start to grow underground. There they stay until mid-September when harvested.

The first step of peanut harvest begins when Matt and his family dig up the peanut plants with an implement call “the digger” to remove the peanuts from underground and flip the entire plant over. After being left to dry for 5 to 7 days, they then go through with their peanut harvester combining the peanuts. They tend to combine their peanuts at 15%-18% moisture. The peanuts then are put into big, converted box trucks, with the roof removed for a tarp instead. These trailers are supplied by the buying point, who then takes the trailers to their location. Once at the buying point they hook up ventilation to the truck to further dry the peanuts to the USDA approved 9% so they can be graded. When harvesting they try not to damage any of the peanut shells as they receive a lower price for damaged shell peanuts. Overall, Matt explained the peanut market to be a more consistent market to follow when it came to the other crops they market and sell. 

Day three was a great day with a couple incredible farms who are finding new ways to make their operations more environmentally and economically sustainable. We are very appreciative to Matt, Kelly and Andy from Griggs Farms LLC, as well as Matt, Hunter and Clay Deane for welcoming us to learn about their operations