for sustainable production intensification and land management
Amir Kassam
Moderator
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URL: www.fao.org/ag/ca

From: Diazalvarez, Leslie - NRCS, Faribault, MN
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2017 1:16 PM
To: Pahs, Steven - NRCS-CD, Faribault, MN <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: FW: MN NRCS Soil Health Update for February
Hello Steve,
Attached you will find the MN NRCS Soil Health Updates for February. Please share the information.
Thanks,
Leslie
Click here to learn more about soil health!
February 2017 Soil Health Update
What a great way to begin the February 2017 soil health update – grab yourself a cup of coffee or cappuccino then take 2 minutes and 19 seconds to watch a herd of worms at work in this time lapse video. It is amazing!!!
THE LIVING SOIL: EARTHWORMS
The USDA-NRCS website has some great resources on earthworms:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/
Earthworms and Soil Health
http://www.cornandsoybeandiges
Earthworms go beyond soil sampling to help tell the tale of soil health. Kristy Foster Seachrist 1 | Jan 16, 2017
Worms reach deeper than plows
Total earthworm populations in long-term no-tilled fields are typically at least twice those of clean-tilled fields.
https://twitter.com/USDA_NRCS/
BUT…….. “all’s not well on the western front”!!!!!
You’ve probably all heard that worms are an invasive species in the glaciated regions of North America and are aware of the tremendous beneficial effects they can have on soil health - but did you know that in some cases worms are detrimental to our environment???


WITHOUT earthworms WITH earthworms
The Minnesota DNR has eye opening information on its website covering the good and the bad of earthworms. The way I look at it…”don’t be afraid to feed some of them to the fishes”!!!
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/inv
Poster:
http://nrri.d.umn.edu/worms/do
News Release:
Soil Health: Critical for Farmers, the Environment and Global Food Security
Submitted by: Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz (Jan 26, 2017)
· …we need to ensure that the sound policies are in place to help support farmers and others working hard to be good stewards of the land. And good stewardship starts with healthy soil.
· The entire food and agriculture value chain needs to work to prioritize soil health as a pathway to better economic and environmental outcomes in agriculture. When we talk about growing food, protecting the environment, and combating climate change, those discussions need to start with soil health.
· Together with farmers, researchers, NGOs, and the private sector, the United States Department of Agriculture-National Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) should continue to lead efforts to build scientific evidence and deploy locally-tailored strategies so farmers can use the best available tools to steward their farms.
· In the coming months, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees will begin their work preparing for the next Farm Bill. This presents the perfect opportunity to elevate soil health in the policy conversation. The time is now: we have a unique opportunity to take action on soil health, and must seize that opportunity in the next Farm Bill.
Here’s the link to the TNC/General Mill’s study referenced in the article – “rethink Soil: A Roadmap to US Soil Health”
http://www.csrwire.com/blog/po
Farmers will not have to pay damages in Des Moines Water Works case
Lots of farmers in Iowa are breathing a sigh of relief today after a favorable 3-2 ruling by the state Supreme Court in the lawsuit brought by the Des Moines Water Works seeking damages for alleged water pollution caused by nearby drainage districts.
Area Soil Health Happenings:
IMPORTANT
Please note the following link to the Soil Health section in SharePoint: (save it to your favorites!!!)
This gets you to the “Rainfall Simulator” calendar and the “Soil Events” calendar where all of the following events are listed as well as many more that may pique your interest.
SFA (Sustainable Farming Association) Midwest Soil Health Summit - Feb. 15 & 16
Feb. 15 to 16 at Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, features soil health experts and farm leaders for two days of advanced soil health training and farmer networking
Cannon River Chapter is hosting its annual meeting – SFA - Feb 4
St Olaf, Buntrock Commons, Valhalla Room, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield
Cannon River Chapter is hosting its annual meeting from noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Buntrock Commons, Valhalla Room, 1520 St. Olaf Ave, Northfield. Join the chapter for a potluck meal and community brainstorming session. Board elections and 2016 event planning will ensue. The meeting is free and open to all; registration is not required.
Dodge County Healthy Soil-Healthy Water Workshop – Feb 8
Juneau Community Center, 500 Lincoln Dr, Juneau, WI 53039
http://dodge.uwex.edu/events/h
Soil Health Workshop, Blue Earth, Faribault SWCD – Feb 8 featuring GABE BROWN
Hamilton Hall, Blue Earth, MN – IMPORTANT: need to pre-register with the Faribault SWCD at 507-526-2388 or email [log in to unmask]
2017 SFA Annual Conference – Feb 11 - College of St. Benedict St. Joseph, MN
Registration $65 - Veggie Buds (formerly Budding Farmers) program registration for ages 3-12 is $10
http://www.sfa-mn.org/wp-conte
Registration: http://www.sfa-mn.org/conferen
'Key Methods for Improving Soil Biology & Soil Health' Land Stewardship Project Workshop – Feb 15 featuring DR. KRISTINE NICHOLS
Good Times Restaurant, 118 Bissen Street, Caledonia, MN
https://landstewardshipproject
Chisago County Soil Health Workshop – March 22 featuring JAY FUHRER
Mid-day workshop, 10:00am—2:30pm
PETERSEN FARMS OF RUSH CITY INC, 6596 525th St, Rush City MN - Lunch will be served
- Presenters include Jay Fuhrer, USDA-NRCS Soil Health Specialist and area farmers. Learn about soil health, practical applications for corn and soybean producers, strip-tillage success, cover crop options, and more!
- Please RSVP to Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District by Friday, March 17th, 2017 at 651-674-2333 For more information, contact Craig Mell at [log in to unmask]
Webinars:
Soil Health Economics: A Farmer's Perspective
Mar 14, 2017 1:00 pm US/Central
This webinar will present the economic benefits of soil health based on implementing a soil health management system that includes continuous no-till, cover crops, nutrient management, and subsurface drainage.
http://www.conservationwebinar
Practical Farmers of Iowa – “Rotationally Raised” Series (click on “Episode” to access content)
Episode 1: “Small Grains: A Revival”
Episode 2: “Freedom from Inputs”
Episode 3: “What to Plant, Where and Why”
Episode 4: “Planting I, Calibrate and Populate”
Episode 5: “Planting II, Seed to Soil”
Episode 6: “Crop Production, Growth Stages, Fertilizers, and Fungicides”
American Society of Agronomy/Soil Science Society of America
Cover Crops 2017 – Looking Beyond the Basics
Register for free and gain access to both the live and recorded webinars (valid for 30 days)
“Scouting Cover Crops – What to Look For” Thursday, Feb 9th (Register HERE)
Articles/Research:
Soil carbon capture: Great loamy hope or band aid?
By Michael Barnard on 20 December 2016
http://reneweconomy.com.au/soi
Fluffy soil syndrome: When tilled soil does note settle
By Aaron Lee M. Daigh and Jodi DeJong-Hughes (pdf is included as an attachment)
Effects of crop residue removal on soil health
In general, the impact that crop residue removal has on nutrient cycling is highly affected by amount of residue removed, which leads to higher cost of production with more fertilizer purchased in the short term and reduction in soil quality and productivity in the long term.
http://www.wallacesfarmer.com/
Helena farm family uncovers importance of soil health
After four years, the gains at the Dusenberry farm are impressive. “We haven’t used fertilizer at all in three years and our crop yields are bigger and better quality. Weeds are reduced, and we’re hoping to eliminate part of the chemical cost associated with spraying,” Tim says. “More and more, we’re using nature as the driving force instead of chemical inputs.”
http://www.belgrade-news.com/n
Green surprise: Why the world's forests are growing back
This article is a bit dated (2015) BUT it did identify a trend at the time – I wonder if it’s still happening?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com
Build Soils with Good Forage
Grazing cover crops can deliver more soil health benefits than simply cover crops alone.
http://onpasture.com/2017/01/2
Soil, Not Grapes, Is the Latest Must-Know When Picking a Wine
Do you like granite? Or are you a sandy-river person? How to shop new trends in wine.
http://minnesotagrown.com/prod
Add Small Grains and Pasture to Your Rotation to Boost Soil Health
Quote from researcher: "A long time ago, perennial pasture used to be in the rotation," he says. "To me, this says we need to be looking at putting 2 years of pasture back into the rotation of corn, soybeans and wheat if we want to improve
soil quality." https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/
The Earth Day Confessions of a Soil Health Geek
Ron Nichols, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, on April 22, 2015
This article is from 2015 but it still holds a lot of weight and is worth reading.
Fighting Microbes with Microbes
http://www.the-scientist.com/?
How agriculture can help drive a low carbon economy
http://blogs.edf.org/growingre
Reduce Soil Compaction for Improved Plant Vigor
Soil compaction can adversely affect vegetable production by hindering your plant’s root growth and development.
http://www.growingproduce.com/
Maintaining soil health is profitable
Believers in sustainable farming practices say their methods conserve resources and add to the bottom line.
http://brownfieldagnews.com/ma
Soil health: Where are we with the science?
Soil health is all the rage, but what do soil scientists know about it?
http://www.wisfarmer.com/story
Soil Health Has Its Benefits
Better understanding of soil organic matter can help improve soybean production.
http://www.plantmanagementnetw
Additional Resources:
Cover Cropping for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
http://www.sare.org/Learning-C
Worms reach deeper than plows
The Pluses and Minuses of Today's Most Popular Cover Crops
Now is the time to choose the right cover crop species to improve your no-till operation.
Once again we need to part ways…..
….please share any ideas you have to create a “new and improved” monthly SH Update by emailing me at: [log in to unmask]
Thanks!
Blayne Doty
Soil Health Coordinator, ACES
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