Farming for Large & Small Operations

Principles of Soil Health: 

• Minimize Soil Disturbance: Adopt no-till farming techniques to reduce soil erosion and preserve structure. Tillage can break apart soil aggregates and lead to compaction, which restricts root growth and water infiltration. No-till farming maintains soil structure and health by minimizing disturbance.
• Increase Soil Organic Matter: Add organic matter such as compost, manure, or cover crops to improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention. Organic matter also supports beneficial soil organisms that help break down nutrients and improve soil aeration.
• Maintain Living Roots Year-Round: Use cover crops and rotational grazing to ensure that soil always has living roots. This practice helps anchor soil, preventing erosion, and feeds the soil microbiome, enhancing nutrient cycling.
• Diversify Plant Species: Incorporate crop rotation, planting a variety of crops each year to improve soil fertility and reduce pest and disease pressures. Diversity helps break pest cycles, enriches soil with different nutrients, and encourages beneficial soil organisms.
• Minimize Soil Compaction: Use careful grazing practices and avoid heavy equipment when soil is wet to prevent compaction, which impedes root growth and water movement through the soil.

Practices:

• Adopt no-till farming: Minimize soil disruption by using no-till methods to preserve soil health and reduce erosion.
• Implement crop rotation: Rotate crops each year to improve soil fertility and reduce pest pressures.‍
• Monitor water use: Set up water-saving irrigation systems that use less water without sacrificing crop yield.