MATERIALS

The materials used in this study are considerable in terms of items as well as diversity of applications–to increase the readability and navigation of present & used materials this section is broken down by the participants in the study: Joe Borgerding, Dan & Tom Borgerding, and Chris and James Schropfer. Under the participants, materials are further broken down by Parcels, Crops (Cover and Cash), and Equipment/Technology. Finally, Testing  & Equipment that best relates to their use in the project is broken down in its own section at the end. 

MATERIALS–JOE BORGERDING:

PARCELS:

This materials section breaks down fields and parcels and which participant provided the materials (parcel) used in the project. Each participant's parcel is given an identifying label as well as the amount of rows in each field:

TABLE: MATERIALS  1.1–J. BORGERDING–PARCELS 2023

 

J.BORGERDING 2023
M1  2023	H1  2023	H9  2023
FIELD  I: 12 ROWS	FIELD I: 6 ROWS	FIELD I: 6 ROWS
FIELD II: 12 ROWS	FIELD II: 6 ROWS	FIELD II: 6 ROWS
FIELD III: 6 ROWS	FIELD III: 6 ROWS	FIELD III: 6 ROWS
FIELD IV: 6 ROWS	FIELD IV: 6 ROWS	FIELD IV: 6 ROWS
FIELD V: 6 ROWS	FIELD V: 6 ROWS	FIELD V: 12 ROWS
FIELD VI: 6 ROWS	FIELD VI: 6 ROWS	FIELD VI: 12 ROWS

 

MATERIALS–J. BORGERDING cont.

TABLE: MATERIALS 1.2

J.BORGERDING 2024
M1   2024	H1  2024	H5  2024
FIELD  I: 12 ROWS	FIELD I: 6 ROWS	FIELD I: 12 ROWS
FIELD II: 12 ROWS	FIELD II: 6 ROWS	FIELD II: 12 ROWS
FIELD III: 6 ROWS	FIELD III: 6 ROWS	FIELD III: 12 ROWS
FIELD IV: 6 ROWS	FIELD IV: 6 ROWS	FIELD IV: 12 ROWS

CROPS:

Crops expressed by tables are broken down by parcel number, cover crop used, as well the cash crop that was planted–tables are differentiated by the year in which the crop combination was used. 

TABLE: MATERIALS 1.3

J. BORGERDING CROPS BY PARCEL–2023
PARCEL	M1	H1	H9
COVER CROP:	Cereal Rye	Triticale	Alfalfa
CASH CROP:	Soybeans	Soybeans	Corn

TABLE: MATERIALS 1.4: JOE BORGERDING CROPS 2024

J. BORGERDING CROPS BY PARCEL–2024
PARCEL	M1	H1	H5
COVER CROP	Volunteer Rye	Spelt Stubble	Alfalfa

MATERIALS JOE BORGERDING cont.

TABLE: MATERIALS 1.4 cont. 

J. BORGERDING CROPS BY PARCEL–2024
PARCEL	M1	H1	H5
CASH CROP:	Soybeans	Soybeans	Corn

MATERIALS–DAN & TOM BORGERDING

PARCELS

The participants had a total of 1 test plot–identified as K40–The amount of rows did not change between 2023 and 2024.

TABLE: MATERIALS: 2.1

K-40–2023
K40
FIELD I	FIELD II	FIELD III	FIELD IV	FIELD V	FIELD VI
6 ROWS	6 ROWS	6 ROWS	6 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS

TABLE: MATERIALS 2.2

K-40–2024
K40
FIELD I	FIELD II	FIELD III	FIELD IV
6 ROWS	6 ROWS	6 ROWS	6 ROWS

CROPS

Crops are expressed by tables which are broken down by parcel number, cover crop used, as well the cash crop that was planted–tables are differentiated by the year in which the crop combination was used.

MATERIALS: D. & T. BORGERDING cont.

TABLE: MATERIALS: 2.3

D. & T. BORGERDING–CROPS 2023
FIELD	I	II	III	IV	V	VI
COVER CROP	ALFALFA	ALFALFA	ALFALFA	ALFALFA	ALFALFA	ALFALFA
CASH CROP	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN

TABLE: MATERIALS: 2.4

D. & T. BORGERDING–CROPS 2024
FIELD	I	II	III	IV
COVER CROP	CEREAL RYE	CEREAL RYE	CEREAL RYE	CEREAL RYE
CASH CROP	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN

MATERIALS–JAMES AND CHRIS SCHROPFER

PARCELS

TABLE: MATERIALS 3.1–PARCELS SCHROPFER 2023

DNR30–2023
FIELD I	FIELD II	FIELD III	FIELD IV	FIELD V	FIELD VI
12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS

TABLE: MATERIALS 3.2–PARCELS SCHROPFER 2024

DNR30–2023
FIELD I	FIELD II	FIELD III	FIELD IV	FIELD V	FIELD VI
12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS	12 ROWS

MATERIALS: SCHROPFER cont

CROPS

TABLE MATERIALS: 3.1–CROPS 2023

Crops are expressed in the same manner as Joe, Dan, & Tom Borderding's crop material tables. Crop by tables are broken down by parcel number, cover crop used, as well the cash crop that was planted–tables are differentiated by the year in which the crop combination was used. There was o

TABLE: MATERIALS 3.2–SCHROPFER CROPS 2023

C. & J. SCHROPFER–CROPS 2023
PARCEL #	I	II	III	IV	V	VI
COVER CROP:	Cereal Rye & Barley	Cereal Rye & Barley	Cereal Rye & Barley	Cereal Rye & Barley	Cereal Rye & Barley	Cereal Rye & Barley
CASH CROP	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN	CORN

TABLE: MATERIALS 3.3

C. & J. SCHROPFER–CROPS 2024
PARCEL	PARCEL  I	PARCEL II	PARCEL III	PARCEL IV	PARCEL V	PARCEL VI
COVER CROP:	Winter  & Italian Rye	Winter  & Italian Rye	Winter  & Italian Rye	Winter  & Italian Rye	Winter  & Italian Rye	Winter  & Italian Rye
CASH CROP:	Corn	Corn	Corn	Corn	Corn	Corn

.

 

TESTING MATERIALS: 

• Shovel (Visual Test to Observe root systems, insects and & present in soil)

• PLFA Test 

• Penetrometer 

• Thermometer Probe 

• Haney Test

• Infiltration Testing Ring 

• Chloroform-Fumigation Extraction/Reader (Biomass Testing)

EQUIPMENT: 

Different equipment was utilized for each test plot. As well as the development of different equipment for management was developed as a result of this project. All plots were Strip-Tilled by a Hiniker Strip-Tiller to minimize tillage/soil disturbance and to inter-seed cover crops with the cash crops. A combine was used to harvest the crops. 

Hiniker Strip Tiller:

The Hiniker Strip Tiller was used by all participants in Strip Till all parcels/plots in the experiment in order to be in congruence with our hypothesis. The Strip Tiller allowed participants to plant cover crops and prepared the parcels for interseeding cash crops. In Borgerding 10”

IMAGE: HINIKER STRIP TILLER

Standard Disk Cultivator 

The Standard Disk Cultivator was used as the “control” in our experiment regarding Strip-Tilling. This is in order to compare the yields, soil-conditions, and biological markers to the strip-plots to test our hypothesis. The tiller was assisted by the RTK Guidance system to improve accuracy.

Image: Standard Disk Cultivator

RTK GUIDANCE SYSTEM/PLANTER:

For our study, we used a planter with an RTK guidance System in order to accurately interseeded between filled rows. Each participant used the RTK Guidance System on each Parcel/Plot–a consistently utilized tool in the study in order to effectively inter-seed cash crops in between rows of standing cover crops. 

IMAGE: PLANTER

IMAGE: RTK GUIDANCE SYSTEM IN BETWEEN ROWS

Proprietary Roller/Crimper: 

A large component of our study’s prescribed management method was the Roller Crimper. Dan & Tom Borgerding developed a proprietary roller-crimper using Solidworks® and used an old cultivator bar to mount the Rollers/Crimps. –However, issues primarily related to wrapping caused problems with implementing the Roller-Crimper in the study–thus Joe, Dan, & Tom worked to modify the Roller-Crimper to improve its efficacy. In this subsection, the modifications added to improve the roller crimper will be included along with the corresponding image and modification description. The crimper roller modified with more weight, stabilizers to achieve better stability when in use as well as a crop guide to better target weeds and other materials.

 IMAGE: ROLLER CRIMPER CENTER-GONG SCHEMATICS

IMAGE ROLLER CRIMPER 1.1

IMAGE: ROLLER MODIFIED WITH MORE WEIGHT TO INCREASE DEPTH

ROLLER CRIMPER MODIFIED WITH CROP GUIDE  SOLIDWORKS DESIGN:

STABILIZER AND ALIGNMENT COULTER 

IMAGE:  ROLLER CRIMPER  STABILIZER

IMAGE: ROLLER-CRIMPER ALIGNMENT COULTERS

ROW MOWER

The row mower was used to effectively target weeds and cover crops when using Mowing as a management practice the Row Mower was in a “Turtle in A Box” Configuration. Furthermore, to increase the accuracy of the Row-Mower it was modified with Side Sweeps and Cut-Aways. Row Mower in a “Turtle in A Box Configuration” which helps cut at the base of the crop as it provides a mulching effect in the mowed areas providing soil coverage/nutrients to the mowed areas but also to the cover crops.

IMAGE: ROW MOWER

IMAGE: ROW-MOWER MODIFICATION: CUT-AWAYS AND SIDE SWEEPS:

BURNER

The burner was used extensively in 2023 and 2024 on James and Chris Schropfer’s DNR30 plot as burning was one of the allowed management practices for DNR land. The burner was used in-between rows and on various burn settings: light, medium, and heavy to observe in order to help identify what the most effective intensity was as a management practice being utilized in 2023 on all of parcel DNR30’s fields with the exception of Field III which was Crimped/Rolled. In 2024 only one management practice was used via burning–Burn/Cultivate across the test plot fields #1-6.

BURNER USAGE IMAGES: 

IMAGE: BURNER FRONT VIEW 

IMAGE: BURNER SIDE VIEW

BUFFALO CULTIVATOR:

The Buffalo Cultivator was an alternative mechanized management tool to the roller/crimper, mower, and burner. Specializing in High-Residue conditions like those in our test plot it facilitates crop/weed management in the rows. It helped minimize soil/crop disturbance keeping in line with the parameters of our hypothesis.

IMAGE BUFFALO CULTIVATOR:

METHODS

IMAGE: Planter Planting in Between Rows of Cover Crops

While the goal of this study was to measure the impact of strip-tilling with cover crops as a management practice for organic farms the three participants of the study John Borgerding, Dan and Tom Borgerding, and Joe Schropher used various/differing management practices. The goal of this study is not only to test the feasibility of our hypothesis but to learn and infer what management practices are most effective at increasing measured metrics: Biomass, PLFA, Haney Test, Soil Temperature/Infiltration, and Observed Insect and Worm density and variety as well as retaining/improving yields. This section of the report will be differentiated between the Borgerding(s) and Schropher Plots respectfully as well as between the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons. However, the measurement methods as well as the methods of management are broken down for the sake of clarity by farmer, parcel, and year. Methods are also further broken down by crop combination and management practice.

MEASUREMENT PRACTICES

To test the results of our management methods we utilized a wide array of testing parameters. The measurements were taken once every month* and were conducted on each of the testing plots used in the study and broken down further by testing identified rows within the parcels. Further measurement tools/practices utilized in this study were as follows:

• Date/Time of Observation 
• Soil Temperature on the surface 
• Soil Temperature according to probe 
• Weather Conditions during testing (forecast, temperature)
• Pentromer Compaction Reading ( Sampled front and/or middle and/or back) 
• Infiltration Readings (Sampled front and/or middle and/or back) 
• Biomass Readings (front and/or middle/and or back) 
• Observations of Shovel Testing: Insects, Soil Condition, Root Content, and Worm Content 
• Observed Weed Pressure of Parcel
• Haney Test 
• Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) Test

A wide array of tests was conducted to get a holistic evaluation of the condition of the soil and the crops with both visual observations ie; current weather conditions, shovel tests (for soil, root system/condition, the prevalence of organics–insects and worms, and soil conditions), weed pressures, crop condition, as well as observation of measurements. Tests monitoring various metrics such as soil temperatures via probe, penetrometer readings, biomass readings, Haney & PLFA Tests, and infiltration times to get real-time numerical results to see the impacts of the various participant's management practices in real-time. Each of these measurements with the exception of the Haney/PLFA tests (see below) was conducted on each parcel from May-August with an additional test in November of 2023.

PLFA & HANEY TESTS/TEST DATES

PLFA tests were conducted on each Parcel and Field to assess the microbial composition/biomass of the soil. Haney tests were also conducted to understand the more detailed composition of the nutrients and nutrient values in the soil specifically The test measures Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Aluminum, Iron, and Calcium along with soil respiration. Both PLFA and the Haney test were administered by RegenAg Lab.

1. 
   
   

FIELD TESTING 

Field Testing played an important role in our observations and findings–for each participants' parcel–field tests were conducted by Mark Gutierrez, Tim Radebach and Richard Rohrer, and the participants of the study in conducting visual observations, taking notes, and using a variety of testing ie; shovel observation, penetrometer, moisture, and temperature readings to observe soil conditions over time. Primarily when conducting Field Experiments our goal through our testing/measurement practices was to develop a holistic approach in order to sequester a multi-faceted set of metrics that we could analyze in our results.

IMAGE: INFILTRATION TEST

IMAGE: SHOVEL OBSERVATION TEST

IMAGE PENETROMETER READING:

METHODS:  JOE BORGERDING 2023

This section lists Joe Borgerdings 2023 management methods for each parcel and field:  in 2023 Borgerding(s) used four fields with cash crops and cover crops. Six test plots were utilized with 4 prescribed management practices to test the impact in terms of yield, soil condition, and inputs. Each field had a control field managed with conventional disk tillage to test to compare between the strip-tilled plots.

H-1:

In 2023 Filed H-1 previously had been a Strip-Tilled for the last 3 years and was planted to  alfalfa with Triticale being planted in the fall of 2021. In this plot Soybeans were planted into standing Triticale in the Fall 2022. The field was strip-tilled with the exception of Field VI–which was conventionally disc–tilled. Each plot had a different/respective management practice. Visual Observations/Measurements were conducted.

TABLE: H1 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

CASH CROP: SOYBEANS	COVER CROP: TRITICALE
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLER CRIMPED x2
II	MOWED x2

TABLE: H1 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES cont.

III	ROLLER CRIMPED AND MOWED
IV	TBD*
V	BUFFALO CULTIVATED
VI	CONVENTIONAL DISC TILLAGE

Note: Section marked TBD* indicates that the management practice used was discretionary and was any combination of the other listed management practices–was based on “eyeballed” observation of what the crops/field needed at the given time. 

IMAGE: H1 06/01/2023

M-1:

In 2023 Parcel M-1 was managed by Joe Borgerding and was previously not Strip–Tilled and had previously been conventionally managed organic for the last 5+ years. Rye was planted in 2022 in each field and all fields with the exception of our control: Field I was Strip-Tilled with Soybeans being planted into Standing Rye. There were two access fields to the north and south of the parcel Each plot had a designated prescribed management practice illustrated by the figures below. Visual Observations/Measurements were conducted.

M-1 FIELD MAP:

TABLE: M-1 MANAGEMENT METHODS

CASH CROP: SOYBEANS	COVER CROP: RYE
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLER CRIMPED x2
II	MOWED x2
III	ROLLER CRIMPED AND MOWED
IV	TBD*
V	BUFFALO CULTIVATED

VI	CONVENTIONAL DISC TILLAGE

Note: Section marked TBD* indicates that the management practice used was discretionary and was any combination of the other listed management practices–was based on “eyeballed” observation of what the crops/field needed at the given time.

IMAGE: FIELD M1–06/01/2023

H-9:

In 2023 H-9 was planted with Corn into Alfalfa. In the Fall of 2022, Alfalfa was planted in the parcel with each plot with the exception of our H-9 control: Field VI was Strip-Tilled. Each plot was given a designated management practice (see: H-9 Field Map/Management Practices). There were two public roads for access to the south and south of H-9. For further context regarding the designated management practices see the figures and illustrations on the next page. Visual Observations and Measurements were conducted.

H-9 FIELD MAP

TABLE: H-9 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: ALFALFA
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLED CRIMPED x2
II	MOWED CRIMPED x2
III	ROLLER CRIMPED AND MOWED
IV	TBD*
V	BUFFALO CULTIVATED

VI	CONVENTIONAL DISC TILLAGE

*Note: Section marked TBD* indicates that the management practice used was discretionary and was any combination of the other listed management practices–was based on “eyeballed” observation of what the crops/field needed at the given time.

IMAGE: PARCEL H-9

METHODS: DAN & TOM BORGERDING 2023

K-40: 

Field K-40 was managed by Dan & Tom Borgerding and has a Strip-Tilled Corn into the Alfalfa plot since 2021. The plot was strip-tilled with corn inter-seeded into standing Alfalfa from the previous year. The parcel was stripped and tilled with the exception of the K-40 control–Field VI. Each of the test plots was managed by a designated practice (See K-40: Field Map/Management Practice) and divided into Six Test plots Field: I–IV. The figures below provide further context into management practice assignments. Visual Observations and Measurements were conducted.

K-40 FIELD MAP:

IMAGE: K-40 FIELD II PLANTED WITH ALFALFA

TABLE: MANAGEMENT METHODS K-40 2023

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: ALFALFA
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLER CRIMPED x2
II	MOWED x2
III	ROLLER CRIMPED AND MOWED
IV	TBD*
V	BUFFALO CULTIVATED
VI	CONVENTIONAL DISC TILLAGE

*Note: Section marked TBD* indicates that the management practice used was discretionary and was any combination of the other listed management practices–was based on “eyeballed” observation of what the crops/field needed at the given time. 

METHODS: JAMES AND CHRIS SCHROPFER 2023:

DNR30: 

In 2023 James & Chris Schropfers DNR30 test plot was a Corn planted into Standing Cereal Rye. Due to the field being rented on DNR land, there were certain restrictions regarding the management practices. In 2022 the field was planted with Green Peas planted in late July. In the Fall of 2022, barley was conventionally tilled. Drilled in Cereal Rye in the Fall of 2022. The field was parceled out in six different test plots 1-6. The plots were Stripped-Tilled and burned with different intensities with the exception of Field #3 which was Mowed & Crimped and Field #6 which was 12 rows that was conventionally managed with a disc-cultivator with the addition of a burn pass. There was an access road in the front of the parcel to access the plots.

TABLE: DNR 30 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2023

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: CEREAL RYE
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	BURN 2x
II	HEAVY BURN
III	ROLLER CRIMPED AND MOWED
IV	MEDIUM BURN
V	LIGHT BURN
VI	BURN/DISK CULTIVATE

IMAGE: DNR30 05/10/2023

METHODS 2024

In 2024 the Methods for the study were broadly consistent with the methods in 2023. Namely conducting measurements with Field Tests ie; shovel tests, infiltration tests, temperature readings, and biomass testing. Testing via PLFA/Haney tests was conducted on each of the Parcel Test Plots/Fields by AgRegen Labs to provide a detailed account of soil composition, biochemistry, nutrients, etc. The Management practices were changed among all participants, namely the reduction of Joe, Dan, and Tom Borgerdings test plots per parcel going from six to four as well as Chris and James Schropfer reducing the test plot per parcel from six to one. Furthermore, Joe Borgerding relocated parcel H-9 and reclassified it as plot H-5. In 2024 one thing that should be noted amongst all participants is that the traditionally or conventionally managed field via disc-till was eliminated and all fields were strip tilled prior to planting. The reasoning of this decision to remove the control was in order to better manage the strip-tilled parcel and develop a more in depth understanding of the efficacy of the prescribed management practices.

METHODS: JOE BORGERDING 2024

The methods used on Joe Borgerding's parcels were similar to 2023 with some key changes–namely field H9 was relocated and the new parcel was designated H5. Furthermore, the number of fields within each parcel was reduced from six to four. Additionally, the number of management practices was reduced in Joe Borgerding's practice to correspond with the fewer plots. The crop combinations also somewhat differ from 2023. Visual observations were conducted.

H-1 2024: 

In 2024 Soybeans were planted into Spelt. In the Fall of 2023, Spelt was planted and in the spring of 2024, the spelt was mowed and bailed in the spring. Later in the spring soybeans were interseeded/planted into the spelt. Another notable change was the reduction of management practices from six to four. One thing that should be noted in 2024 is that there was no control field–all fields were Strip-Tilled and there were no “conventionally managed” fields because Strip-till proved to be more successful for soil health. 

H-1 FIELD MAP–2024: 

TABLE: H-1 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2024:

CASH CROP: SOYBEANS	COVER CROP: SPELT
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLED 2X
II	MOWED & ROLLED
III	MOWED 2X
IV	CULTIVATED

IMAGE: PARCEL H9 2024

M-1–2024: 

In 2024 Joe Borgerding used the same crop combination as 2023–Soybeans into Rye. The beans were planted into standing rye in June of 2023  Like other other parcels managed by Borgerding in 2024 the number of management practice & test plots was reduced. no control plot–all plots are strip-tilled in 2024.

M-1 FIELD MAP–2024:

M-1 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2024:

CASH CROP: SOYBEANS	COVER CROP: CEREAL RYE
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLED 2X
II	MOWED & ROLLED
III	MOWED 2X
IV	CULTIVATED

IMAGE: M1 FIELD I CLOSE UP

H-5 2024:

In 2024 field H-5 was a newly designated field taking the place of H-9. The field was relocated due to flooding/rainfall in the spring making H-9 unsuitable during the planting window. The field had been stripped-tilled Corn into Alfalfa the previous 3 years. Corn was planted into standing Alfalfa in June of 2024. Like other parcels in 2024, the number of management practices was four as compared to six in the previous year. Like with another parcel in 2024 there was no conventionally managed control field via Disc-Tillage. All fields/plots were strip-tilled in previous years. H-5 had public road access to the north and south.

H-5 FIELD MAP–2024:

H-5 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2024:

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: ALFALFA
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLED 2X
II	MOWED & ROLLED
III	MOWED 2X
IV	CULTIVATED

IMAGE: H-5 FIELD III

METHODS: DAN & TOM BORGERDING 2024

K-40-2024: 

In 2024–field K-40 was managed by Dan & Tom Borgerding in 2023. Furthermore, the crop combination in 2024 changed from Corn into Alfalfa to Corn into Volunteer/Cereal Rye. The parcel the year previous was Corn into Alfalfa and it is the 2nd year the field had been Strip-Tilled  The Corn was planted into standing Rye approximately 3ft tall in the Spring of 2024. However, some of the Alfalfa from previous years came back into the field in patches so along with the planted rye, and had to be managed along with other weed pressures. The field had one access road to the south.

K-40 FIELD MAP:

TABLE: K-40 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES:

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: CEREAL RYE
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	ROLLED 2X
II	MOWED & ROLLED
III	MOWED 2X
IV	CULTIVATED

Image: K-40 FIELD II STRIP-TILLED WITH GROWN ALFALFA

METHODS: CHRIS AND JAMES SCHROPFER 2024 

DNR 30–2024:

One thing that should be noted when discussing the methods of the DNR30 testing parcel is that the DNR limited the practices that could be used–including limitations on weed control and crop combination. Due to heavy/rainfall in the spring of 2024 and the timing issues caused therein, the management practice was limited to one practice across the field as the acreage available was limited.

DNR 30 2024 FIELD MAP:

TABLE: DNR 30 MANAGEMENT PRACTICES 2024

CASH CROP: CORN	COVER CROP: ALFALFA
PLOT #	MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
I	BURN & CULTIVATE
II	BURN & CULTIVATE
III	BURN & CULTIVATE
IV	BURN & CULTIVATE
V	BURN & CULTIVATE
VI	BURN & CULTIVATE

IMAGE: DNR 30 STANDING CORN INTO ALFALFA

PUBLICATIONS AND OUTREACH 

During the duration of our study, several outreach events and newsletters were distributed to the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Community and abroad. SARE updates and awareness were included in our monthly newsletter distributed to 1,700+ individuals within the Minnesota Soil Health Coalitions community to raise awareness about our efforts and our study. We also plan to share this report with coalition members via our website to raise awareness about the SARE grant and the feasibility of Organic Strip Till best practices. 

 

Additionally, we held a SARE research event findings presentation in Greenwald, MN on Dec 19th, 2024 where we had the SARE participants present their findings via PowerPoint and take questions regarding their experience and recommendations based on the challenges and successes of their SARE experience. We provided lunch to the participants and after lunch had a Q&A panel with farmers including Joe Borgerding, Tom Cotter, and Luke Peterson to answer questions about the research, soil health, regenerative farming, marketing, nutrients and grazing.