Fun In-Field Learning
The Redwood Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with Sustainable Farming Association (SFA), the Minnesota Office for Soil Health (MOSH), Renville Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and the MN Soil Health Coalition (MNSHC) to put on an in-field, in-depth look at soil health management practice implementation and its effect on soils.
U of M Southwest Research Station
The day started out at the U of M Southwest Research and Outreach Station, where we learned about the soil health testing results from a 3 year period across Minnesota. The research was completed with multiple farmers around the state to better interpret and use soil health measurements and develop soil health case studies.
Pfarr Farms
From there, we headed to Pfarr farms where my colleague Brian Pfarr offered his fields for the research, where staff and farmers saw first-hand what his soil health management looks like. Participants learned what impact these changes had on nutrient management, economics, agronomics, and soils. Brian and his father Bill have set up side by side comparisons of a soil health managed field adjacent to a conventionally tilled field, which allows for direct correlation of management and results. Attendees were able to dig, look at roots, explore soil structure, water infiltration, and compaction on three different sites to compare:
the soil health field
along the tree line
the conventionally tilled field
Bill and Brian talked about how their management has changed over the years and how that has impacted their operation.
During this event, I also had the opportunity to discuss impacts on crop growth with different levels of soil health. I explained why the Pfarr’s are seeing changes in their soils, the results of soil health testing, nutrient value changes over the years, and economic benefits association with utilizing soil health practices.
Stay Tuned for More Field Days
The Redwood SWCD holds field days and meetings to provide an opportunity to hear from farmers using strategies that are improving their operations, economics, agronomics, and quality of life. Watch the Events section of our website or follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss them!
