The foundation of Claybrook Acres LTD is the Centennial Farm located south of Jewett, IL in Jasper County. Currently Managed by George and Thad Holsapple, it is a grain farm growing corn and soybeans. In 2013 they partnered with Center Seeds to diversify into Cover Crops
George joined the family farm in 1978. At that time a grain and farrow to finish hog operation working in conjunction with his
father Don. In the mid-nineties, he made the management decision to focus on grain. A strong believer in Conservation he is a member of the Cumberland County Soil and Water District. He was on the original committee of the Embarrass Management Association, a group formed to help unit farmers along the Embarrass River management shed. George is an active member of Greenup United Methodist Church, currently serving on the financial committee. George is a Member of the Lincoln Farm Business Farm Management Association. He is a past board member serving as board president for two years. Thad joined Claybrook Acres LTD in 2008. Upon high school graduation, he pursued a career in heavy equipment operating but realized his heart was back at the farm and returned to the family operation. He brings experience with equipment operation and does excavation and conservation projects on the side. He was a participant in the Illinois Farm Credit Young Leaders Group in 2014. Thad is member of the Greenup United Methodist Church, Lincoln Farm business Farm Management Association, Jasper County Farm Bureau and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. Center Seed Cover Crops became a part of Claybrook Acres LTD in 2013. George and Thad work together as dealers for Center Seed Cover Crops. We chose Center Seed to partner with for two reasons:
1) Center Seed is dedicated to providing the highest quality cover crop seed. All their seed has been tested on their 2300 acre farm in west central Ohio. They believe the quality of product farmers put into the soil has a direct relationship to the success of accomplishing the key objectives of cover cropping, such as nitrogen production, nitrogen scavenging, erosion prevention, w**d suppression, etc.
2) Center Seed believes in education first. They focus on providing the knowledge to their dealers and customers on the how to of proper cover cropping. Education on cover crop selection, seeding and termination techniques are valued to allow success in planting cover crops.
