Dennis Godar, currently living at Rochester, IL is originally from Hardin, in Calhoun
County. In 1980, Dennis received a BS degree in Ag Economics/Agronomy from
University of Illinois and In 2002, a MA degree in Environmental Studies from UIS.
After several years managing pig farms in KS, IN and IL, started his own pig farm near
Rochester, IL in 1988.
In 2000, Dennis began writing Nutrient Management Plans for livestock producers
and in 2003, became certified as a Technical Service Provider, (TSP) for NRCS.
Dennis & Molly started their company, ManPlan Inc, in 2003 with a focus on writing
CNMPs and NMPs.
Dennis is a CPAg and a TSP in several Midwestern and Southern States and also
provides soil sampling and VRT recommendations.
Dennis is currently Co-Chair for the ICCA Ag Policy Committee and Past President of
Technical Service Provider Network, (TSPN).
Married to Molly Ann Godar and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
• What motivates you to manage your operation in a conservation-minded way;
or what motivates you to support or participate in conservation stewardship?
I support conservation practices by providing nutrient management plans and also
help out with Clay Godar’s custom cover crop business.
We work with farmers that may be trying some conservation practices for the first
time and also farmers that have been doing conservation practices for years.
It is motivating to observe the benefits for soil health and minimizing soil erosion.
Watershed Champion
Biography, Questionnaire, & Consent Form
• Who or what supports you in your efforts?
• What do you find challenging about conservation stewardship?
Some of the challenges for adopting conservation practices are: Low profit margins
and when farm leases are year to year.
It is important to have Land-Owners that are on-board with adopting conservation
practices, especially when there are higher costs in the beginning years.
• What do you find rewarding about conservation stewardship?
• What advice would you give to someone in your position who may be hesitant
to take the next step in conservation stewardship?
Try 1 or 2 conservation practices on just one field; but commit to continue the
practices for several years to observe the results, before deciding if it is
beneficial for your farm.
Also consider that reducing sediments and nutrients in the watershed have far
reaching benefits beyond the farm boundaries.
Check with NRCS about possible incentive payments available for various
conservation practices, especially in the Lake Springfield Watershed.
County. In 1980, Dennis received a BS degree in Ag Economics/Agronomy from
University of Illinois and In 2002, a MA degree in Environmental Studies from UIS.
After several years managing pig farms in KS, IN and IL, started his own pig farm near
Rochester, IL in 1988.
In 2000, Dennis began writing Nutrient Management Plans for livestock producers
and in 2003, became certified as a Technical Service Provider, (TSP) for NRCS.
Dennis & Molly started their company, ManPlan Inc, in 2003 with a focus on writing
CNMPs and NMPs.
Dennis is a CPAg and a TSP in several Midwestern and Southern States and also
provides soil sampling and VRT recommendations.
Dennis is currently Co-Chair for the ICCA Ag Policy Committee and Past President of
Technical Service Provider Network, (TSPN).
Married to Molly Ann Godar and they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
• What motivates you to manage your operation in a conservation-minded way;
or what motivates you to support or participate in conservation stewardship?
I support conservation practices by providing nutrient management plans and also
help out with Clay Godar’s custom cover crop business.
We work with farmers that may be trying some conservation practices for the first
time and also farmers that have been doing conservation practices for years.
It is motivating to observe the benefits for soil health and minimizing soil erosion.
Watershed Champion
Biography, Questionnaire, & Consent Form
• Who or what supports you in your efforts?
• What do you find challenging about conservation stewardship?
Some of the challenges for adopting conservation practices are: Low profit margins
and when farm leases are year to year.
It is important to have Land-Owners that are on-board with adopting conservation
practices, especially when there are higher costs in the beginning years.
• What do you find rewarding about conservation stewardship?
• What advice would you give to someone in your position who may be hesitant
to take the next step in conservation stewardship?
Try 1 or 2 conservation practices on just one field; but commit to continue the
practices for several years to observe the results, before deciding if it is
beneficial for your farm.
Also consider that reducing sediments and nutrients in the watershed have far
reaching benefits beyond the farm boundaries.
Check with NRCS about possible incentive payments available for various
conservation practices, especially in the Lake Springfield Watershed.
