Kimvale Farm: Owned by Steve Kimball
Employees: 4 full time plus Family
Cows:220 milking, 25 dry, 180 young stock
Land: Own 900 acres, 600 is cropland & pasture, 300
forest, swamps etc.
Crops:Pasture, Hay, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Peas, Oats,
Rye, and Spelt
Organic Certification: Milk, Beef, Pasture, Hay, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Peas, Oats, Rye, and Spelt
Throughout our history the Kimballs have been early adapters of innovations in dairy farming. In 1964 we installed one of the first milking parlors in the area and continue to look for ways to make our farm profitable and a good place in which to work and live.
One of the many recent changes for our farm is our new manure composting system. Prior to this we spread manure daily. We chose not to go with manure silos and lagoons because of the odor and safety problems. Over the years we experienced problems with accidental spillage of manure on the roads which understandably disturbed the residents of the neighborhood that has grown up around the farm. Daily spreading also uses a great deal of fuel and man hours. Our manure separator and composting system addresses these concerns.
At Kimvale Farm we are making some changes in our breeding program. With emphasis on components in milk in mind, we have started cross breeding our Holsteins to Lineback, Jerseys, Danish Red, and milking Shorthorn. We have also begun to grow our own grain as a result of the soaring cost of organic feed lately.
All these changes along with the switch to organic farming are proving to be a very interesting experience.