MERIT OR MYTH: Engaging South Dakota’s Farming Community
In The Pursuit Of Healthy, Functioning Soils
In 2007, Doug Sieck of Walworth County, SD began his soil health journey. A little over a decade later, his soils, his operation, and his mindset have all transformed. In this 7-part series, Doug shares with us his eye-opening journey into soil health, how to make the transition easier, and why we all should consider the change ourselves.
Integrated Systems With Doug Sieck — Intro 1/7
Integrated Systems With Doug Sieck — Holistic Mindset 2/7
The big-picture idea of healthy, functioning soils is so appealing: more moisture available to the plant, more nutrients recycling, fewer weeds, lower inputs… what’s not to like, right? To the busy farmer, are the ideas of healthy functioning soils just that… ideas? Put another way we should ask: “what has merit and what is myth”? At Merit or Myth our mission is, through the social media, to engage with South Dakota-based farmers, researchers and conservationists to gain a better understanding of healthy, functioning soils. We want to engage in the context of the management issues that farmers most care about including residue, soil temperature, soil moisture and weed management.
NATIVE PLANT SALE! Orders due by July 31, 2019 We are having a sale on native perennials, garden perennials, grasses, and vines! All are in #300 pots and all are $10.50 each. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE ORDER FORM
COVER CROP “HOW TO” EVENT August 1, 2019 — 10:00am – 2:30pm No cost to attend Free lunch if you sign up before July 24 Hosted by Rock County SWCD Call 507-283-8862 to register
Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission […]
PROFILES IN SOIL HEALTH Charlie and Tanya Totton, Chamberlain, SD “My goal was to produce more and improve natural resources at the same time. You can do either one of these easily, by overgrazing and producing more or under grazing and improving, but with mob grazing I can get more production and improve my natural […]
WATER QUALITY MATTERS FOR CATTLE ON PASTURE By Noble Foundation Written by Caitlin Hebbert, Livestock Consultant, Noble Research Institute You don’t need me or anyone else to tell you that water is important for livestock and all other living things. The necessity of water is common sense, but what tends to fall by the wayside […]
OUR AMAZING GRASSLANDS Tracy Rosenberg, Abbey Grasslands of the Prairie Coteau, Marvin, SD “Grasslands are not the poor land, it’s not the wasteland, this is an ecosystem that is by far the most important ecosystem we have in North America and yet it is disappearing at extraordinary rates.” – Tracy Rosenberg Tracy Rosenberg explains the […]
MERIT OR MYTH: Extended Rotations, Cover Crops, and a Change in Perspective — Part 4 of 4 “We’ve sparked a lot of curiosity. People are interested in what we’re doing [and] when I’m working with land owners I just tell them what they’re gaining for their land. It’s going to be in a better condition […]
