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Soil Health Partnership helps farmers improve land, productivity

Central Iowa farmer Ben Peterson is improving soil health on his farm with the help of resources from the Soil Health Partnership.

He tells Brownfield the partnership is collecting data from his farm to compare strip and conventional tillage practices. He says more farmers would benefit from these practices, but often don’t use them because they think it will cost more money.

“I propose that, especially in the long run, it’s going to be a better choice economically and I think we’re starting to see that on our operation,” he says.

Audio: Ben Peterson, Iowa farmer 

Central Missouri farmer Brian Martin is also working with the partnership to improve soil health.

He tells Brownfield the partnership is collecting data on the impact of no-till practices on his farm.

“Most of my operation is continuous no-till,” he says. “Some of the flatter ground is challenging based on soil drainage and infiltration rate. I’m basically trying to incorporate that without putting an economic hindrance on the cash crop.”

Audio: Brian Martin, Missouri farmer 

The farmers spoke to Brownfield at the Soil Health Summit in Rosemont, Illinois.