Who We Are
A Big Dream, a lot of Hard Work,
and
some Cows
Gron Farm Co. is a rebirth of the family farm. Like many farms in the Midwest, the latter part of the 20th century took its toll on the Block farm business. A diversified farm slowly turned to rented-out crop land as the revenue from the dairy dried up with the cows.
In 2020, 4th generation, August (Gus) Block brought cattle back on the farm doing things differently this time. Using cows and rotational to revive the soil and beauty of the farm.
Using both new technologies and ancient sciences, it is my goal to achieve:
-3 level carbon sequestration
-Extreme water retention
-Elimination of mud
-Viable economics for the surrounding rural society
All combined into a highly productive and manifestly beautiful system
By grazing cattle in short duration in mixed environments of permanent pasture and dispersed woodland, biological material(carbon in the form of cellulose) is accumulated at three levels:
The subsoil from deep roots of alfalfa and trees
The plow layer, both up and down, from the roots of grasses and the trampling of forage
The lumber is harvested in planned fashion, such that trees are kept in very productive, adolescent stage.
Many tons of carbon will be captured in this way, where it will remain very useful
This biomass accumulating in the upper layers of the soil will hold vast amounts of rainwater and facilitate mineralization. In combination with the mixed shade of the timber, as well construction of small stock ponds, the farm will develop a certain immunity from drought, and greatly slow the runoff of soil nutrients downstream.
Leveraging emerging grazing technologies, I intend to move the livestock onto fresh pastures daily. Currently, this is done every third day. The new system will allow all muddy places to be kept undisturbed, greatly enhancing soil health and animal comfort, and improving aesthetics which almost all farms struggle with.