Schrock’s positive outlook has been a mainstay, including when being diagnosed with heart failure. “When the kids were teenagers, I was diagnosed with heart failure and given just a few months to live,” he shares. He was able to get a heart transplant, with the surgery happening in May, “of course during corn planting,” he recalls. With Dave in the hospital, young Zach stepped forward and with the help of their community got the corn planted.
His heart transplant was 16 years ago, and both Dave and the farm are going strong with a focus on sustainability. “We try to make sound financial decisions to not over leverage so we are financially sustainable, and of course are focused on taking care of the land,” Schrock says. “We want the soil to be there for generations to come.” The farm practices no-till farming to help prevent erosion and other conservation tillage efforts. He points out the soil in their part of the state is unique and fertile, and the only thing that keeps them from setting production records is the lack of sun.
Along with the farming operation, Schrock has been heavily involved in Total Acre, a faith-based farming organization. The group was founded by yield champions and now includes 700 farmers from the U.S. and Canada who come together to share farming practices. “We share data about hybrids and dive deep into the data,” he says of the group that gets together four to six times a year. Schrock has hosted what the group calls a “camp” of growers, with 70 fellow farmers from the Great Lakes region gathering to listen to speakers and learn from each other. Along with sharing farming tips, Schrock shares his story and strives to mentor the younger farmers.
Relationships matter and Schrock emphasizes that farmers must surround themselves with the right people. “Farming is risky business, with a thin line between risk and reward so you need to work with trusted people who are honest with you no matter the size of your farm or the type of farm you have,” he says.
Education and learning are part of Schrock’s positive outlook, which extends to a love of the Indiana State Fair. “I have real appreciation for 4-H and its programs, and enjoy getting in the 4-H buildings to see all the projects especially woodworking,” he says, recalling his son excelled in that project during his 4-H days. “The State Fair is a great spot to listen to those who aren’t involved in agriculture to help bridge understanding,” he says. “There is always common ground to be had.”
In looking to the future, Schrock hopes his family continues to stay positive and look at all aspects of farming including perhaps farm to table concepts. “Farming is a complete circle and you have to push forward.”