Zachary Smith

Contact Information

Zachary Smith
4284 Highway 9
Buffalo Center, IA 50424
thestockcropper@gmail.com
641-512-0379

Conservation has been a key part of Zachary Smith’s operation since he began farming 80 acres with his dad in 2010. Having expanded to 1,200 acres over the past several years, he sees the benefits of conservation on both soil quality and efficiency on his farm. In addition to management practices seen across the state such as strip-till and cover crops, Zack pushes towards further opportunities in agriculture. This is seen in his plots testing wide row gap corn, as well as his innovative Stock Cropper system.

After several years in agricultural retail, Zack began working into his father’s operation in 2010. Wasting no time, he bought a strip-till bar the following year to improve efficiency on the farm. Using it every year since, accompanied by cover crops, Zack has seen great advances in soil health and notes a 0.9% increase in organic matter. While not common in Iowa, Zack has embraced the practice of strip intercropping in his operation. This practice of planting strips of pasture between strips of a cash crop helps Zack further progress on his idea of fully autonomous grazing barns, allowing livestock and crops to be raised on a single piece of ground.

As Zack has grown his operation, he has come to see the importance of soil conservation. He also sees opportunity to push the envelope and be a leader of agricultural innovation. Working towards new opportunities, Zack is proud to be on the cutting edge of developing a positive future.

Building a Culture of Conservation: 

“I’m really interested in trying to farm more in touch with nature and minimize the need for things that aren’t natural.”