Feed what you grow

Wayne County farmer shares his approach to soil health

Kristen Sindelar
Sep 18, 2026
4 hrs ago

Heinemann 1.jpg — Scott Heinemann examines the root structure of a cornstalk he pulled from his field for the Conservation Mentorship Network Field Day he hosted on his farm in Wayne County, Neb.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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When Scott Heinemann’s father told him “we feed what we grow,” he meant using their corn crop as cattle feed for their family’s feedlot on the southern edge of Wayne County, Nebraska.

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Heinemann 2.JPG — Producers overlook a field planted with a 12-way grazing mix on the Heinemann farm. It was planted mid-July and will be grazed this fall into the early winter. The photo was taken during the field day Sept. 2.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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Heinemann 3.JPG — Riley Hackbart with NRCS explains soil health principles during the rainfall simulation demo at the Conservation Mentorship Network Field Day Sept. 2.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.