Farm406

This piece of land was virgin soil that had never been exposed to fertilizer or chemicals, so instead of farming it conventionally, Randy decided to raise wheat organically. Without having to purchase fertilizer and pesticides for those crops, the bottom line when that wheat was sold provided a good premium over the conventional market. Inspired, Randy farmed additional land organically while selling conventionally for three years to move more land into organic production. Since then he has never turned back, and today all of the production at Hinebauch Grain, Inc., is organic. Randy joined several others, including BJ Schellin of Chinook, Bob Quinn of Big Sandy, and Bud Berner of Virgelle, to form the North Central Montana Chapter of Organic Crop Improvement Association. The chapter and its members were part of the Organic Crop Improvement Association International, an organization that provides organic certification and crop improvement ideas. Randy and several others from the chapter have served in various leadership roles in this international organization. Randy also serves as a director of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, representing District 2 and the Wheat Quality Council. Hinebauch Grain has participated in several promotions that educate the public about organic products. Teams from companies, such as Dave's Killer Bread and Food for Life, at different times have gone to the farm to video the Hinebauch organic farming operation. Today Blaine County where Hinebauch lives raises more organic wheat than any other county in the United States. "Because many of our neighbors are farming organically, we are creating fewer border strips protecting our crops from drifting pesticide spray," said Randy. Organic winter wheat and spring wheat are still the major cash crops grown on the Hinebauch farms. "While there is a difference in organic wheat yield in comparison to conventional wheat, the premiums of the organic outweigh the difference on the bottom line," said Randy. Typical rotation at the Hinebauch farm is spring wheat, fallow, winter wheat, and spring peas for green manure. The peas are the first crop planted in the spring, and when they start to bloom, it's time to plow down. The Hinebauchs rarely grow pulses as a crop to harvest. Organic farming calls for more tilling and for planting the crop later than normal so that weeds that have germinated can be tilled under. That is the aggravating side. Of course, the positive side is the "added value" to the organic wheat's selling price. The Hinebauchs have recently planted Corbin spring wheat, Sirus peas, and War Horse winter wheat. "We try various new varieties on a small scale as they become available," said Randy. They also inoculate wheat and peas with organically approved products. The Hinebauch's six children are now adults. Three of the sons have chosen agriculture as their profession and have their own land. Along with Randy and Lisa, they farm406 18 Left to Right: The Hinebauchs, Ethan, Randy (father), Eli and Evan. Farming organically has allowed three of the Hinebauch sons and their families to farm alongside their Father.

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