Rob DeFreese is a multi-generational row-crop and livestock producer in west-central Indiana. He uses regular soil health testing to ensure efficient input use and informed decision-making across his operation. Rob has incorporated cover crops for more than a decade, experimenting with multiple species over the years and currently focusing on cereal rye and legumes to support soil structure and nutrient cycling. He has transitioned most of his fields to minimal tillage or no-till systems and has implemented grassed waterways to reduce erosion and protect water quality. Rob actively collaborates with a network of like-minded growers, regularly exchanging ideas and sharing experiences to refine and promote the practices he’s using on his own farm. His commitment to conservation has earned recognition from the county Soil and Water Conservation District.

Rob has been the driving force behind these improvements, continually pushing to be better each year. As those efforts grow, they’ve evolved into a partnership built on shared goals and open conversations about what’s working in the field and what’s available in the market. “