Meet Jeff Rowe, the Regenerative Agriculture Farmer

Soil, Sweat and Seeds

Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group, can attest to Syngenta’s devotion to sustainable agriculture — quite literally. As a fifth-generation farmer, Rowe is actively involved in his family’s 3,000-acre farm in north central Illinois. So are his parents, Carol and Dean.

Part 1 of the video series “Soil, Sweat and Seeds” takes place on Rowe Farm in the autumn of 2024.  This episode reveals that the Rowes are doubling down on their commitment to regenerative agriculture — an approach that includes low-till methods, using cover crops and various other techniques.

Regen ag seeks  not only  to reduce farming’s environmental impact. It aims to improve agriculture’s overall sustainability, productivity and profitability. But like any scientific experiment, the Rowes’ mission is fraught with risks and uncertainties.

Jeff grew up on the same farm where his grandfather once had to rely on horses and mules. Now, the Rowe Farm uses GPS-guiding tractors, other automated equipment and digital technologies — “a tremendous transformation,” Jeff observes.

And yet, exploring ways to continue improving the farm is a recurring conversation around the kitchen table at Rowe Farm. The discussions include Jeff’s parents, as well as his son, Austin, who is studying agriculture at Iowa State University. “Hopefully,’’ Jeff says of Austin, “he’ll become a sixth-generation farmer.”

“Regenerative agriculture is seen by many as a better way to farm in harmony with nature — and to make things better for the soil and the environment.”
_{Jeff Rowe}

Working together with scientists

Because introducing changes always comes with risks, Jeff has enlisted some help — from Syngenta soil scientists Dr. Abbey Wick and Dr. Jordan Wade.

Turning over a spade of soil in one of his fields, Jeff shows Abbey the earthworms and other positive indications that some of the Rowes’ earlier, partial steps toward regenerative agriculture have already paid off. But in a subsequent conversation, Abbey cautions Jeff – and all farmers — against “going all in” immediately on regen ag.

Jordan adds: “You want to dip your toe in. Start with the easy things. As you see results, then you take the next step.”

Of new agricultural methods more generally, Dean Rowe says, “You introduce new technology on the farm, just to survive. Otherwise, you risk falling behind.”

Dean, in his 80s, represents the aging demographics of farming. The most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture data show that the average age of U.S. farmers is 58.1 years — with farmers older than 65 outnumbering ones younger than 35 by a ratio of 6 to 1.

Grandson Austin notes that because so few young people enter agriculture, technology can help bridge the gap. “It’s crucial to keeping agriculture sustainable,” Austin says.

Jeff tours one of his fields with Dr. Emily Eaton, Director of the Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative. Her advice includes squaring off field borders with perennial plants. That will not only encourage biodiversity. Straight field margins will make it easier to operate tractors and other equipment.

In the video’s final moments, Dean Rowe, discussing the future, notes that the farm “is going to go to someone else, soon as we’re gone.”

That someone, ideally, will be Jeff — and then Austin.