Tom and Kerri, and Bruce Herberg

2009 Big Stone Conservation Farm of the Year

By: Gary Hoffman and Tammy Neubauer

Big Stone SWCD

Each year, the Big Stone Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board of Supervisors chooses a farmer or farm family that demonstrates sound conservation practices in their farming system.  Congratulations to Tom Herberg & family, and Bruce Herberg of rural Beardsley for being selected as the Big Stone County Conservation Farm for 2009.

Tom has been farming for about 25 years.  He has had stock cattle in the past, but currently the farming operation consists of a corn and soybean rotation that he and his brother, Bruce, own and rent.  The Herbergs practice no-till on about 85% of their soybean acres. They have also tried some no-till corn planting with varying degrees of success.  No-tilling has been in the Herberg's operation for 15 years now and Tom is currently using a regular John Deere 1770 corn planter.  He says the 1770 works great for his no-tilling, especially on their lighter ground.  Weeds were somewhat of a problem with no-till in years past, but now with Roundup-ready crops, Tom says he couldn't be happier with no-tilling.  The time, diesel, and soil saved by no-tilling really makes it economical.  He adds that it also helps to keep the rocks down, because they aren't getting lifted up each year by the chisel plow and field cultivator.

In addition to their own farm work, Tom & Bruce own custom combines.   They hire the custom harvest operator, Matthew Meyers, who begins in Oklahoma early in the summer and works his way back as the ripening wheat crop progresses northward.

The Herbergs are also involved with EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Through this program, the Herbergs have converted a 1500 foot irrigator to low pressure nozzles.  They currently operate six low pressure irrigators.  Low pressure irrigation is a relatively new concept designed to save water and energy.

Tom and Kerri have 2 daughters.  Melissa is married to Eric Christianson, a pharmacist.  They live in Fergus Falls and Melissa works as a computer technician in Elbow Lake. They are awaiting the birth of their first child due on April 18th !!  Ann is a junior at Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley High School.  She works in the field on the family farm, enjoys snow skiing and family vacations.  The Herbergs like to travel and have enjoyed vacations such as white water rafting in Colorado, trips to Florida and California, horse back riding on trail rides, and Tom and Ann recently attended We-Fest in Detroit Lakes.

Kerri is an LPN.  She enjoys yard work, cooking and reading (she belongs to a book club also).  Kerri especially enjoys taking care of her pets - the cats and Daisy the dog.  The Herbergs are members of the Holden Lutheran Church and Tom is a church council member.  Tom is on the Beardsley Elevator Board.  His hobbies include NASCAR races, recycling aluminum, and inventing things.  He is currently in the process of creating egg-yolk flavored jam or jelly.  He claims this would be useful so even if your over-easy eggs get too done, you can still get the great flavor of toast dipped in egg yolk, simply by spreading the jam on your toast!!

Bruce is single and one of his hobbies is riding motorcycle.  He is also a golf enthusiast - so much so, that Tom says he is addicted to golf.

Congratulations again, to Tom and Kerri Herberg, and Bruce Herberg as being selected as the 2009 Big Stone County Conservation Farmers.