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.
PROFILE IN SOIL HEALTH Gene and Craig Stehly, Mitchell, SD “We can’t continue on the same path; we have to start focusing a lot more on soil health. Soil health isn’t just one thing. It’s a systems approach. For us it’s combining no-till, crop rotation, cover crops, and planting native grass species in our sensitive areas.” – Craig Stehly […]
2018 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award Winners Congratulations to the Cammack Family of Union Center, SD for receiving the 2018 South Dakota Leopold Conservation Award! The video below will show some of the soil health and grassland management practices they have been working on for many years. Source: SD Soil Health Coalition
THE MINNEHAHA COUNTY FSA OFFICE IS OPEN FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME The Minnehaha County FSA office is one of about half of the FSA offices nationwide that has been allowed to be open Thursday Jan. 17, Friday Jan. 18, and Tuesday Jan. 22, to perform certain limited services for farmers and ranchers. “USDA has […]
MERIT OR MYTH? Does management affect infiltration? In this video, Soil Health Specialist Jeff Hemenway tests the performance of one soil series under two different management practices.
OUR AMAZING GRASSLANDS Tracy Rosenberg Abbey Grasslands of the Prairie Coteau Marvin, SD The SD Grassland Coalition partnered with the organizations listed below to enhance the grassland planner with a release of a video each month during 2018 promoting healthy soils, grasslands, and ecosystems. Here is the feature video for December. 2017 Grassland Stewardship Communications […]
HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE’VE GOT A FUN EVENT COMING UP! For full agenda, registration, and hotel block information please visit www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/annual-meeting/. R.S.V.P’s are appreciated for planning purposes . This event is FREE to all 2019 SD Soil Health Coalition Members. The cost for non members is $25 which includes a 2019 membership. Please RSVP to (605) […]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU! May peace, love and joy be yours today and every day! The Minnehaha Conservation District thanks all of you for your business. We look forward to serving you in 2019!
