Meet the Emtman Family

Welcome to Emtman Brothers Farms

Emtman Brothers Farms was originally established in 1887 near what is now Valleyford, Washington by John Emtman, an immigrant from Germany.  Since that time, the original homestead has grown to 10,000 acres of direct seed, no till wheat and Kentucky Blue Grass fields and is now being farmed by the 4th generation, Randy and Jeff Emtman and their families along with their parents, Roy and Della.  The Emtman's are highly regarded by the farming community and the environmental community for their leadership in the application of conservation technology.

Emtman Brothers Farms was selected as the 2007 Vim Wright Stewardship Award winner. Their operation is totally unique  with no other farms in the State farming the way the Emtman's are. They are innovative and continually seek out the latest technology and better ways of farming that protect the environment and maintain the economic viability of their operation. This is a very successful family owned and operated farm that exemplifies the highest standard of environmental stewardship and proves that conservation pays.

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Growing Philosophy

"Our sights and goals are always set far into the future with the succeeding generations in mind. It is our desire to turn over the farm to the next generation in a condition that is better than when we received it."

-- Randy Emtman

Fuel Savings of 70%

All of their 10,000 acres of grass and wheat are seeded using the latest no-till drills that allow them to seed a new crop with minimal disturbance to the ground.  With the ability of the drill to place the seed and fertilizer in just one pass over the field directly through the stubble from the previous crop, they are experiencing dramatic reductions in the amount of fuel being used.

They are working with the Department of Ecology to test the use of biodiesel in their new farm equipment and are anxious for the opportunity to grow the crops on the farm that can be made into fuel for their equipment.

Zero Soil Loss

Minimal soil disturbance through the use of a direct-seed, no-till drill also maintains the soil moisture available to the crop and virtually stops any soil erosion from water or wind.  By comparison, soil losses from conventionally tilled fields in their area can be as much as 7-8 tons per acre per year.

Fields that have not been tilled for several years are now showing an increase in organic matter and a large increase in earthworms.  Yields are more consistent from hill tops to draws which the Emtman's believe is largely due to precipitation being absorbed where it lands rather than running down the slopes and accumulating in the lower ground.

Diversifying their Operation

The Emtman's began raising beef cattle on their farm in 1998 as a way to utilize the grass straw from the Kentucky Blue Grass fields that they were no longer burning after harvest.  They began marketing their beef to local restaurants and selling directly to the public at the farm. Totally grass fed on their own fields and with no growth hormones or antibiotics used, the beef is in high demand in the local area.  The Emtman's also direct market their oats, hay, barley and other specialty crops and are part of the Shepherd's Grain organization that supplies bread products made from wheat grown on local farms to local restaurants and grocery stores.