Doudlah Farms’ Journey: From Conventional to Organic Farming
In the race to feed the world, we have forgotten about soil health and its direct link to your health. We have forgotten the dangers of the chemicals we use daily, believing that we are just killing weeds and insects when, in fact, we are contaminating not only the food we eat daily but also precious resources like soil, groundwater, surface waters, and the air we breathe for generations to come.
Conserving resources and putting people to work during the great depression.
1957 Parallel Terrace Outlets (PTO)
Parallel terrace outlets work by creating gentle steps along a slope, slowing down water to give it a chance to soak into the soil. Each terrace collects water, which is then directed through underground pipes to a catch basin. This setup helps prevent erosion, keeps more moisture in the soil, and makes sure the water flows in a controlled way—keeping the land healthier and ready for crops.
1970 3rd Generation District Conservationist
Grandpa Harold Porter, served as a District Conservationist for Dane County, Wisconsin. His deep belief in preserving and protecting the land has inspired generations. Earl Doudlah followed in his footsteps becoming an active steward of soil and water conservation for Rock County Wisconsin.
1971: Beginnings of No-Till Corn
Earl Doudlah, one of Rock County’s first no-till farmers, began using an Allis-Chalmers No-Till planter. Limited pesticide options and a lack of cold-tolerant corn varieties led him to adopt chisel plowing as an alternative.
1974: Introducing the Glencoe Soil Saver
As no-till equipment and pesticide options remained limited, Earl turned to the Glencoe Soil Saver, adapting his practices to make the most of the tools available.
1984: Ridge-Till and Early Controlled Traffic
Earl implemented ridge-till farming, using controlled traffic patterns even without modern GPS. Ridge-till occasionally caused chunky soil due to imbalances in calcium and magnesium (Mg > 25%). Despite the challenges, ridge-till kept production costs low.
1990: Winter Wheat for Crop Rotation
Winter wheat was added to the rotation, seeded into standing soybeans with a Vicon seeder and high-crop tractor. Although some ridge-top wheat didn’t survive the winter, it was a valuable addition to the crop rotation.
1992: First Use of Cover Crops (Oats)
Oats were seeded into standing soybeans with the Vicon, helping to make phosphorus more available, recycle nitrogen, and stay green through January before winter-killing.
2003: Narrow Rows for Better Growth
Earl transitioned to 15” rows for corn, beans, and wheat, allowing better sunlight utilization, faster canopy closure, reduced evaporation loss, and enhanced weed control—all with one planter.
2006: Relay Cropping of Soy into Wheat
2010: Vertical Tillage with Salford RTS
Vertical tillage was used to incorporate cover crop seeds, break down crop residue, and inoculate with “Residuce,” adding nutrients and prepping the soil for the next season.
2011: Tracked Tramlines
Tracked tramlines were introduced to improve soil health, increase infiltration, and boost water percolation in the fields.
2012: Cover Crops on Every Acre
Cover crops were planted across the entire farm, acting as a soil primer for the upcoming organic transition. Annual ryegrass roots reached 28” deep by fall, enriching the soil.
2015-2016: Transition Plan to Organic
A comprehensive plan was developed for organic certification, completed in 2017. Fields were grouped by crop rotation needs and color-coded for tracking: T1 (orange), T2 (light green), and Organic (dark green). The six-year rotation plan ensures consistent organic crop availability every year.
