|
ARMAND'S
HARPER VALLEY
FAMILY FARM
Welcome
to Albert & Diane Armand's farm, located in rural Westport, Indiana.
We raise 400+ acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. We also have a 140 sow
farrow to finish hog operation along with a cow-calf operation.
Farming
in the Westport, Indiana area since 1941, the Armand's have been
providing custom farming service starting with threshing and shredding
in the 1940's to combining, picking, square baling in the 1950's to
combining, round baling and no-tilling crops today. The Armand's put an
emphasis on balancing environmental concerns with profitable modern
practices. No-till and residue management play key rolls in preventing
water pollution for the Armand's while maintaining high yields and
profits. Livestock is utilized to add value to raw grain crops and
animal wastes are used to replace a portion of our commercial
fertilizer.
By
waiting for weeds to emerge, the Armand's can often use lower rates or
safer herbicides to control weed problems. We believe by combining the
best new practices, we can maintain high yields while having a positive
impact on the environment. We strive to use cover crops after low
residue crops to prevent erosion and capture any nutrients left over
from the last crop. Cover crops also build organic matter capturing
carbon (a greenhouse gas) and nutrients from manure application.
Our
livestock operation also utilizes a mix of old and new. Cattle are
pasture fed with supplemental feeding in the winter and in times of
short grass supply. Finishing calves destine for slaughter are fed high
grain diets to ensure tender beef.
The
hog operation combines lot breeding where sows have room to exercise and
roam and straw bedded housing with confined farrowing and finishing.
This helps maintain healthy, happy hogs and efficient gain and use of
land.
We
also have a small laying flock to provide eggs for the farm. These
chickens have access to pasture at all times and give the farm the feel
of the past, plus provide eggs for sale.
The
crop portion of the farm has utilized no-till production on all crops
for several years. No-till methods reduce soil erosion and reduce labor
& equipment requirements. No-till farming also increases organic
matter, soil quality and water holding capacity, helping crops in time
of heat and drought stress. When properly managed, no-till farming
maintains or increases yields and enhances wildlife habitat.
During
the summer, we grow delicious sweet corn, tomatoes and other produce. We
sell this at our home and the Jennings County Farmer's Market. In the
fall we invite everyone to come join us in the pumpkin patch. Visitors
can wander through 8 acres of a wide variety of pumpkins or gourds.
Picked pumpkins are also available for the rainy days.
If you would like to learn more about
farming, you may visit some of the links below.
No-Till
Farmer /
AgWeb
/
AgOnline
 
Winner of the 2007
Conservation Farmer of the Year Award by Indiana Farm Bureau!
On May 7, 2004 Albert &
Diane Armand were honored by Indiana Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis as one of
31 men
and women from across the state to receive a 2004 Lieutenant
Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award!
 |
