Cornfed: Innovating to Grow More with Less
Born and raised in Pickerington, Ohio, Eric Tipton began his farming career baling
straw for a friend of his grandpa’s who owned a dairy farm. He quickly developed an interest in and
commitment to the technological advancements needed to improve farming. He has dedicated his life’s work to
innovating agriculture and spearheading change to better the agriculture industry. Eric is always asked,
what do farmers do when they’re not farming? His answer is simple: farmers plan ahead to make their
businesses more efficient to fuel and feed the world. They’re dedicated to investing in innovations to
better their equipment, practices to be less wasteful and tools to increase efficiency.
On Ricketts Farm, Inc., innovations in technology allow Eric to grow more with less,
feeding sustainability and making sure his farm will be around for generations to come. Innovation goes hand
in hand with sustainability. A steward of his land, Eric is focused on protecting his farm’s soil structure,
fertilizer and nutrients through innovative practices like utilizing cover crops and adopting no-till
practices. Beyond that, variable rate technologies (VRT) enable efficient and sustainable inputs—such as
seed, fertilizer and chemicals—by controlling distribution as farm machinery moves across a field. Eric is
constantly making sure he is using the most up-to-date equipment and technologies on the market.
What is no-till farming?
No-till farming is a technique used by farmers to minimize or eliminate soil
disturbance while growing crops. It's used to prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, increase
productivity and keep carbon in the soil, limiting the need for chemical fertilizers and lowering
greenhouse gas emissions.
What are cover crops?
A cover crop is any crop grown used to cover the soil. The benefits of cover crops
include soil erosion prevention, improved soil health, enhanced water availability, weed deterrence,
pest and diseases control, improving crop yield potential, attracting pollinators and supplying a
habitat for beneficial insects and food to animals.
Learn more
For crops like wheat, like this winter wheat, last year's crop residue and
litter remain on the soil surface, offering protection from wind and water erosion. Credit: USDA
Eric understands advancements in innovation and sustainability have different levels
– there’s the field level, the input level and equally as important but often overlooked, the people behind
the scenes. Eric prioritizes creating an environment where his employees feel safe and have the tools they
need to be successful, making sure his farm is an appealing place to work.
Agriculture has a
far-reaching impact across all areas of our society, and thanks to investments in the land from farmers like
Eric, we are building a more sustainable future. That’s cornfed innovation.
