Emil gave up his secure job to purchase 140 acres near Glendale to start a dairy. Emil developed the dairy into a heard of hundreds and added additional land to raise forage crops, as well as cotton. He also ventured into commercial poultry egg production and cattle ranching.

He and his wife Ruth accompanied the1992 Arizona delegation to the National 4-H Congress. He was actively involved on the 4-H Youth Foundation Board of Directors for many years. In fact, since the Foundation was established in 1972, there has always been a Rovey on the board.