Bayer has announced that Cornfed Farms, a fourth-generation family farm in Iowa County, Iowa, operated by the Mohr family, is the first Bayer ForwardFarm site in the United States.
The designation places Cornfed Farms among just 16 farms worldwide recognized by Bayer for advancing regenerative agriculture that supports both profitability and environmental stewardship.
Bayer’s ForwardFarming initiative partners with select farms across the globe to demonstrate innovative and sustainable farming practices. The goal: to showcase how regenerative agriculture can drive both economic and environmental benefits through collaboration, education, and knowledge-sharing.
“We believe that regenerative agriculture is essential for the future of farming, and we’re proud to be recognized as a leader in implementing environmentally sustainable farming practices,” said Alan Mohr, owner and operator of Cornfed Farms. “Being a Bayer ForwardFarm allows us to share our journey and commitment to sustainable practices with other farmers, demonstrating how adopting sustainable farming practices can be a win-win for growers and for the environment.”
At Cornfed Farms, the Mohrs have embraced no-till and minimum-till practices, which significantly reduce soil erosion and improve soil health. They’re also integrating cover crops such as CoverCress and camelina to enhance biodiversity, water retention, and nutrient cycling. These practices help protect soil in the off-season while adding organic matter that improves future yields, and even provide an off-season cash crop that strengthens farm profitability.
Cornfed Farms also serves as a demonstration site for cutting-edge Bayer technologies, including the Preceon Smart Corn System. This system features shorter stature hybrids and data-driven insights that help farmers mitigate weather-related risks and optimize performance.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Cornfed Farms and the entire Mohr family as they share their experience, knowledge, and best practices with fellow farmers,” said Brian Naber, Head of Crop Science for Bayer’s North America and Australia/New Zealand region. “This collaboration emphasizes the importance of innovative agricultural practices that ensure farmers’ economic success while being socially responsible and environmentally conscious.”
In addition to their row crops, the Mohr family maintains a diversified operation that includes hay and cattle. Livestock manure enriches the soil, creating a sustainable nutrient cycle that boosts crop health and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers. With the help of digital tools and precision data, the Mohrs continue to refine their inputs, applying only what’s needed and improving efficiency across the operation.
