The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is not even two years old yet, but already the group has made some great strides in learning more about soil health to share with farmers. Hans Kok is a field manager for SHP in Indiana, where the second Soil Health Summit is being held this week. “We’re setting up a network of demonstration farms … Read More
Soil Health A Priority For The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) provides technical support for the Soil Health Partnership (SHP), and it’s something that fits in well with the organization’s mission “to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” “The Nature Conservancy has been working in agriculture for several decades,” says Larry Clemens, TNC North American Agriculture Program Director. “We’ve been wanted to scale … Read More
Biochar Markets Grow Globally
Global biochar markets are expected to reach $5.88 billion by 2022, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The importance of increasing agricultural productivity and crop yield is expected to augment market growth over the next seven years. The rise of biochar consumption in agriculture is owed to its ability to improve soil conditions and nutrient availability … Read More
BioAg Alliance Showcases Microbial Research Results
The BioAg Alliance, a collaboration between Novozymes and Monsanto to improve crop harvests through naturally-occurring microbes, announced results from its 2015 field trial program. Those results included a corn inoculant product, which increased yields by an average of 4 bushels per acre in U.S. field tests. The product is based on a fungus found in soil and researchers from the … Read More
USDA Expands Conservation Efforts In Iowa
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced this week a series of new efforts to help Iowa’s farmers and livestock producers conserve water and soil resources and improve nutrient management practices on the state’s 30 million acres of farmland. Vilsack said the U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand access to USDA’s signature conservation programs for Iowa producers, making available up to … Read More
Grant Given for Study of Soil to Understand Drought
In the fight against drought a team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside are looking into an overlooked tool: soil. The team, lead by assistant professor of environmental sciences, Samantha Ying, have received a $1.69 million grant to study how soil relates to water use by a crop during drought. The grant is one of four given by … Read More
#ASTACSS Taking Cover Crops Mainstream
A diverse panel covered the topic of cover crops at the ASTA CSS 2015 and Seed Expo Tuesday, exploring how the practice is starting to hit the mainstream. David Pearl with the CISCO Companies in Indianapolis, who serves as chair of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) Cover Crops Working Group, says this was the first full cover crops session … Read More
Panel On Taking Cover Crops Mainstream at #ASTACSS
During a session on “Taking Cover Crops Mainstream” at the ASTA CSS/Seed Expo this week,, a panel of representatives from across the industry spoke about their experiences with cover crops, the work they’ve done on either their farm or in their business, and the impact cover crops can have on soil health. Two growers who integrate cover crops on their … Read More
Soil Health Institute Aims To Protect, Improve Soils
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, in partnership with the Farm Foundation, announced the launch of the Soil Health Institute today. For years, the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and Farm Foundation have been providing education and insight into the importance of agriculture and proper land stewardship. In 2013, they launched the Soil Renaissance. The movement brought together growers and organizations across … Read More
SHP Invites Farmers to Commemorate World Soil Day
World Soil Day is December 5, and the Soil Health Partnership invites all farmers to commemorate the day by taking a look at ways to make their land healthier. “Soil health is critical to the future sustainability of our agricultural industry,” said Nick Goeser, SHP director. “We want to acknowledge this worldwide day by encouraging farmers at a local level … Read More