Farmers who make soil health a priority are more likely to adopt soil conservation practices, according to a survey by South Dakota State University. While research is important for showing the benefits of using soil-improving management strategies, government incentive programs can provide short-term compensation until producers begin to collect long-term rewards.

Grocery shoppers who feel that buying organic is the be-all and end-all for sustainability are missing a bigger picture, according to guest blogger Steve Groff. Any kind of growing method involves a degree of compromise, including organic agriculture. To produce food at a price that people can afford, farmers often must decide what will do the least harm as they await better innovations.

In this episode of the “No-Till Farmer Influencers & Innovators” podcast, brought to you by Martin Industries, No-Till Farmer Editor Frank Lessiter talks with soil health specialist and rhizosphere ecologist Jill Clapperton about the importance of no-till in building healthy soil structure.

Using no-till on weather-damaged crops will improve soil health and reduce volunteer corn for next year, says NRCS.