The Steve and Elias Groff families are stewards of two hilly farms in Martic Township where their innovative farming methods produce healthy foods while improving the soil. Steve, his wife Cheri, and their three children live on the home farm that was purchased by his grandfather in 1935. Steve's father, Elias, was born in the farmhouse where Steve and his family are now living.

In the fall of 1965 Elias purchased his own farm located adjacent to the home farm. Steve grew up on this second farm, then in 1988 he moved to his present location, less then one mile away. Since he graduated from high school in 1982, Steve has kept records about the farm's soil condition. While in high school he understood that the loss of precious topsoil could not be allowed to continue. Elias had put contours on the home farm in 1963, but there were still problems with gutters. Steve decided to try no-till corn to see how it would affect the soil. He began by renting a no-till corn planter from the Lancaster County Conservation District. Within a few years he noticed improvements in the soil. After doing some research the Groffs added cover crops to their list of conservation practices. Some of the fields have not been touched by a plow for over 15 years. There are fields that have not been plowed for 30 years as they were converted from pasture to cropland 10 years ago. The use of cover crops, crop rotation, and long term no-tillage allows Steve to cut back on his use of insecticides and herbicides. Total costs for all pesticides used on this vegetable and crop farm has dropped from $32.00 an acre ten years ago, to $17.00 an acre currently (average of the last 3 years). Although the initial cost of cover crop seed and establishment are higher, it is offset by the nitrogen contribution from legumes, soil held in place, and increased soil tilth. Other benefits of this system that are hard to put a dollar figure on are increased water infiltration, resistance to compaction, better harvesting conditions, and better soil fertility.

Although both farms remain independent for legal purposes, Steve manages all of the field crops and Elias is in charge of marketing the produce and hay. Elias raises about 70 steers on his farm per year. This does not provide enough manure to satisfy the crop nutrient needs, so they import hog and layer manure from some nearby farms. Soil tests indicate high levels of phosphorous and potash. To provide the necessary nitrogen, Steve has been growing Hairy Vetch. It is used as a cover crop and even though the Groffs grow a sizable amount of vegetables, very little fertilizer is used. During 1997 they were able to irrigate about half of their vegetables (pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, broccoli, and peppers).

The 175 acres of cropland for the two farms are planted as follows:

Soil is the life blood of a productive farm, and the Groffs feel it needs to be cared for and tended as a living organism. Through improper management it can be abused, starved, mistreated, or lost. It must be fed like a plant. Steve follows what he calls a New Generation Cropping System. This includes a set of interconnected practices used to keep the soil healthy and productive over a long period of time. A key point of this management system is to keep something growing or covering the soil at all times. Last fall over 90% of their fields had something green growing on them. Cover is even important with vegetables which are planted without conventional tillage. Crop rotation, contour planting, reduced pesticides, and management for profitability are other important components of this cropping system.

Steve does not farm by the book. He experiments and tries ideas before they are published in the agricultural textbooks. When experts in no-till agriculture come to this area they often stop to see what Steve is doing. He is willing to share his expertise with anyone who is interested. PBS (Public Broadcasting System) has filmed a clip on the Groff farm for one of its future programs; and last year two groups from Japan came to visit their farm. The Japanese have invited Steve to go and share with their farmers the value of the New Generation System. Last year the fourth annual field day held at their farm was jointly sponsored by PASA(Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture), local agribusinesses, and the Keystone Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society. Steve has produced a video covering the subject of "No-Till Vegetables", and was highlighted in last years spring issue of USDA's SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) along with four other farmers from different parts of United States.
Steve, Cheri, and their children Dana 5, Lauren 4, and David 1 attend ACTS Covenant Fellowship. Elias and Marian attend Rawlinsville Mennonite Church.

The roots of conservation can be traced back to Elias' mother. After reading the Prevention Magazine she requested that the men not plow the garden. To help control weeds she used leaves, grass clippings, and newspaper. Steve continues in this vein with a mission statement that says, "I will no-till farm in such a way that produces a healthy food product, generates an income to live a comfortable lifestyle, and leaves the soil in better condition than when I found it."