Alan and Rachel Mehl have dedicated their entire lives to sustainable farming in the rural northwest corner of Butler County, Ohio.

Their commitment to conservation has earned them the title of 2024 Ohio Conservation Farm Family award winners. From implementing no-till and cover crops to educating the public about conservation, the Mehl family embodies the spirit of stewardship and environmental responsibility, according to nominators from the Butler Soil and Water Conservation District.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Alan learned the value of hard work and responsibility. Through mutual friends, Alan met Rachel, a fellow farm kid who lived just down the road. The two hit it off, sharing a passion for farming.

PREVENTING RUNOFF: Grassy waterways play a key part in reducing sediment runoff that flows into Acton Lake.

After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Alan returned home in 1968 and has been farming ever since.

"I don't know what else Alan would ever do," Rachel says. "He just lives for farming."

Protecting Acton Lake

In 1971, Alan became an early adopter of no-till, implementing it first on a small farm he rented.

“It was not popular then,” he says. “Even my dad didn’t understand what I wanted to do. I hated seeing the soil wash away and our creeks and rivers become brown from erosion.”

When Alan and Rachel moved to their current farm, they continued to use no-till on their 125 acres of cropland.

“We’ve been on this place now for about 30 years, so I like to consider this farm as ‘never-till’ at this point,” Alan says.

The Mehls also use cover crops to eliminate runoff, grow soil organic matter and stifle weed pressure. For the past few years, they've been using cereal rye in rotation with soybeans.

PROTECTING THE LAKE: The Mehl farm is adjacent to Acton Lake, a huge reason why Alan and Rachel implement conservation practices on their farm.

Taking care of the land has always been important to Alan. He has partnered with Butler Soil and Water Conservation District on several occasions to further conservation on his farm.

Brady Smith, rural specialist with BSWCD, has worked with the Mehls on multiple projects.

“We have worked on grassed waterways with them — Alan is really particular about his waterways, with the goal to reduce erosion,” Smith says. “Alan has some really productive soils, and it’s a good area of the county. He’s trying to keep it that way.”

The Mehls’ farm is adjacent to Hueston Woods State Park, home to Acton Lake. The proximity to the water source has shaped many of their decisions about caring for their land.

“I know that Acton Lake is filling up with sediment, and the main place the sediment’s coming from is farmland,” Alan says. “About half of our farm drains directly into Acton Lake, and I just don’t like the idea of being part of the problem.”

An opportunity to educate

Many people drive past the Mehl farm on their way to Hueston State Park. In the winter, the Mehls partner with BSWCD to place cover crop educational signs near the main road.

“I’ve had people stop and ask me what we are doing,” Alan says. “I get the chance to tell them firsthand about our cover crop and why we use them. People appreciate that. Very few people are involved in farming, so we need to tell our story whenever we can."

SIGNAGE: The Butler Soil and Water Conservation District provides the Mehls with cover crop signage in the winter. Some passersby have stopped to ask Alan about his conservation practices.

Rachel describes her husband as curious and thoughtful, willing to share information with others.

“Alan keeps up with the latest information on farming practices. He is curious about trying new things that are good for conservation,” she says.

Leave it better than you found it

To the Mehls, implementing conservation practices is essential for being a good farmer.

"I think it's important that you pass on the farmland as good as you found it, or better than you found it," Alan says. "If your soil is washing away, I don't think you can make that claim.

"To be the best farmer, you have to take good care of your land. Plain and simple."   

Gwirtz Smith is a freelance contributor from Richland County, Ohio.

CEREAL RYE: Cereal rye is Alan’s cover crop of choice, while his main crop is soybeans.