Venturing into no-till over three decades ago spiraled into a lifetime conservation journey and a career marked with advocacy work for Mark Kingma. He has spent that time searching for new practices and technology that can improve the resources on his DeMotte, Ind., farm and in the surrounding area.
His passion for conservation does not go unnoticed by other conservation-minded farmers and leaders. Mark Jordan, chairman of the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District, explains that Kingma’s dedication all goes back to bettering the farm.
“To some, he’s a soil health guru, the go-to guy for no-till farming in Indiana,” Jordan shares. “But when he shares the story of his journey, Mark Kingma sounds like a farmer who is just looking for a better way of doing things.”
Once Kingma finds something that works well on his farm, he doesn’t stop there. He always keeps his eyes and ears open to new ideas that pencil out for his farm while leaving the natural resources in better shape, according to Betsy Bower, senior research associate in the Purdue Agronomy Department.
“He is always thinking about the next step he can take on his farm to conserve and improve his allocations of resources, including soil, water, labor and time,” she says. “And it is all about resource allocation. From my perspective, he is all about having a sustainable but profitable farm.”
Making an impact
Kingma’s impact goes beyond the farm level. He is always open to sharing what he has learned in hopes that it can help other farmers improve their operations while conserving resources. Take it from Daniel Perkins, owner of Perkins’ Good Earth Farm.
“Mark Kingma is a soil health proponent who uses regenerative farming practices in his own operation, as well as advocates for others to do the same,” Perkins says. “He has hosted field days, root digs and equipment demos on his farm on multiple occasions.”
Kingma’s openness about his successes, failures and challenges with conservation extends to the state level, where he serves as vice president on the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts board. Liz Rice, executive director of IASWCD, shares that he has always made himself available to those wanting to learn more.
“His approachability, sense of humor and humility belie his success as a farmer and steward of our natural resources,” she adds.
Beyond his conservation and advocacy efforts, Kingma is also a dedicated member of his community, finding new ways to stay involved and give back. Lana Zimmer, vice chairman of the Jasper County SWCD, sums it up well.
“Beyond his agricultural achievements, Mark is a devoted family man and a pillar of his community,” Zimmer says. “His service on the Jasper County REMC and past leadership in the Indiana Farm Bureau highlights his unwavering dedication to rural development.
“Guided by his faith, Mark leads with integrity and purpose, embodying the very spirit of the Master Farmer award.”