Regenerative farm test plot: inoculating our soil with microorganisms as a means of reducing future input costs

Commodities

Practices

Our farm faces the ongoing challenge of rapidly increasing input costs, particularly for fertilizers and herbicides, while the prices we receive for our crops remain low and unpredictable. Each year, the cost of these essential inputs continues to climb, tightening already narrow profit margins and creating significant financial stress. The volatility of the grain markets further compounds this problem, making it difficult to plan and budget with any degree of confidence.

This situation is not unique to our farm. Across our region and throughout the country, many producers are struggling with the same economic pressures. Rising input costs, coupled with stagnant or declining commodity prices, are forcing many operations to make difficult decisions about cutting back on management practices, delaying equipment upgrades, or taking on additional debt just to maintain production levels.

Over time, this cycle erodes both financial stability and the long-term viability of family farms. The dependence on costly external inputs also leaves operations vulnerable to market disruptions, supply chain issues, and unpredictable price spikes. Without meaningful changes, many farms-including ours-risk losing profitability and resilience.

Our solution focuses on transitioning a portion of our farm toward a regenerative agriculture system that restores soil biology, enhances natural nutrient cycling, and reduces dependency on external inputs. The goal is to use biological methods-specifically, the application of Biocomplete compost and compost extracts to rebuild soil structure, improve fertility, and increase resilience to pests, diseases, and weather variability. By focusing on soil biology, we aim to create a self-sustaining system that naturally supports healthy crops while lowering long-term production costs.

The project will begin with a 4 acre trial area on hay ground, allowing us to refine our methods and gather measurable data before expanding to the entire farm. I will perform a detailed baseline soil assessment using a microscope to quantify microbial biomass, diversity, and the fungal-to-bacterial ratio. This baseline will serve as a reference point for comparing changes over time. The field will be divided into treatment and control strips, allowing direct comparison of biological and conventional management approaches.

Biocomplete compost will be produced on-farm using local materials such as woodchips, hay, and manure. This compost is created following precise procedures learned through the Soil Food Web School to cultivate a balanced community of beneficial microorganisms. Once compost quality is confirmed through microscope analysis, it will be used to create liquid compost extracts for field application. These extracts will be applied to the soil and foliage at several stages throughout the growing season to inoculate the soil with beneficial microbes and promote healthy root-soil interactions.

Throughout the project, I will conduct ongoing microbial assessments of both the compost, the control and the treated soil. These analyses will measure total microbial populations, determine fungal-to-bacterial ratios, and assess the survival and establishment of applied microorganisms. By monitoring biological changes alongside crop growth (specifically hay) and health, I can evaluate the direct effects of microbial restoration on soil structure, nutrient cycling, and plant vitality.

While I expect initial variability in tonnage during the transition phase, reduced reliance on fertilizers and herbicides should lead to overall cost savings and improved profitability over time.

Ultimately, this project will serve as a demonstration of how biological soil management can improve farm resilience and economic stability. The data and experience gained will help guide future expansion across our full operation and can be shared with other producers facing similar challenges. The combination of scientific soil monitoring, on-farm compost production, and field-scale application makes this approach both practical and replicable for other farms seeking to transition toward regenerative practices.

Objectives

1. Establish a 4 acre trial comparing Biocomplete compost management with current practices.
2. Conduct baseline and follow-up soil microbial assessments to track biological improvements.
3. Produce and apply biologically active compost and extracts using local materials.
4. Monitor hay performance, and soil health throughout the project.
5. Evaluate the economic and biological impacts of reduced fertilizer and herbicide use.
6. Document and share results to help other farmers understand the practical benefits of regenerative soil management.