by Nick Chambers

Rod Kehler has been farming Valley land that has been in his family since his grandfather first tilled the soil in 1933. The six quarters near Center have hosted the conventional rotation of barley and potatoes every other year and have seen the birth and life cycle of the agrochemical industry. Now, Rod is watching his hand closely, playing his cards like a weathered veteran who knows the deck has got some rotten suites. To save his land and preserve the future of farming he is going back to the soil, the micro flora, and the fungi.
“I’ve got a gut feeling this is right. I believe in it,” he proclaims. Unfortunately, his muse wasn’t without cost.
In February of 2003 Rod’s son, Joshua, who had grown up working on the farm, was working and going