Derek Schmitz has never dreamt of being anything other than a farmer. He also really doesn't like doing field work. An adaptively managed, perennial grazing dairy just makes sense.  In this conversation Schmitz shares how fellow dairy farmers helped him get started, and how genetics, observation and building his own farm team through the Minnesota Dairy Initiative have been key to his success -- and has even reduced his labor by about half.   Jonathan Kilpatrick, SFA Farmer Education Director Derek Schmitz, SFA Minnesota Dairy Initiative Coordinator   Resources: -MDI Website -Newman Turner books -"Farm as Ecosystem" by Jerry Brunetti -"Dirt to Soil" by Gabe Brown -"Building a Profitable Dairy Herd"     The viewpoints of the speakers expressed within or outside of this episode do not necessarily reflect the goals and mission of SFA. Dirt Rich is produced by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota. If you enjoy Dirt Rich, consider supporting our work by becoming a member of SFA or donating at www.sfa-mn.org.