06/06/2026
Meet the Farmer: Sklarczyk Seed Farm
📍 Johannesburg, Michigan
At Great Lakes Malting Company, great malt starts with great farmers — and Sklarczyk Seed Farm (SSF) has been growing that story for generations.
A third-generation family farm in Northern Michigan, SSF grows malting barley (and occasionally oats) for GLMC as part of a thoughtful 4-year crop rotation designed to keep soil healthy and productive for years to come. By planting cover crops after early barley harvest, they maintain living roots in the soil through winter — supporting soil biology and long-term field health.
SSF combines generations of farming knowledge with precision agriculture, using GPS technology, grid soil sampling, reduced tillage, and carefully targeted nutrient management to reduce waste, protect the land, and grow high-quality grain.
For Ben and Alison, farming is about more than crops — it’s about stewardship, family, and being part of something bigger.
“One of my biggest enjoyments in farming is that we are a part of feeding the world,” Ben shared. From feeling the dirt in their hands to watching tiny seeds grow into thriving crops, farming offers a meaningful connection to the land, the seasons, and the people their work ultimately serves.
Because Malt That Matters starts in the field — with farmers who care deeply about the land and the future of Michigan agriculture. 🌾
Fun fact: SSF is also in the potato business, and Ben serves as the 2026 President of the National Potato Council!
