Farmers learn about no-till farming, effects on soil

Sep. 11—LIMA — Farmers from area counties discovered how no-till farming can boost soil health and enhance carbon retention Tuesday at Burkholder Farms.

At 6720 Stewart Road in Lima, farm owner Matt Burkholder explained the current state of his fields, shared how far he's come as a farmer and showed off various infiltration tests.

One infiltration test was a rainfall simulator that showed firsthand what a specific amount of rain would do to the soil and how it would sit in the soil.

The test indicated that no-till soil demonstrated significantly improved water-holding capacity compared to other soils that rapidly degraded.

"I faced numerous challenges in 2009-2010 before the establishment of Farmer Advocates. Everything changed when they appeared," Burkholder said.

By networking with each other and listening to speakers, farmers left the event with a new perspective on farming and soil.

Keynote speaker and Rick Clark, a regenerative organic farmer, provided advice, shared his personal experiences throughout his farming career and accentuated the long-term investment no-till brings to farmers.

"I can't stand up here and tell you this is an easy way to farm because it's not. You have to be in it for the long haul," Clark said.

Six principles of soil health to Clark include minimize disturbance, maximize diversity, living roots, armor the soil, context, and livestock, which a bonus category of commitment.

Clark also emphasized the importance of cover crop packages. A cover crop is used to increase moisture and nutrients in soil.

A cover crop he used at his farm, Balansa Fixation clover, produced as much as 262 pounds of nitrogen at one time, more than enough for approximately 200 bushels of corn.

In four days, nitrogen amounts more than doubled, from 114 to 262 pounds.

"Don't underestimate the power of networking. Each of you has something that could benefit or help someone else," Clark said.

Soil, agriculture and human consultant Dani Kusner delivered a speech comparing soil health to human health.Her life goal is to listen and re-connect humans with the nature we are.Specifically, Kusner touched on the idea that microbiomes in soil compare to those in our gut.

The acronym AWTF stands for air, water, temperature and food. This represents the four essential needs for both the microbes in soil and our guts. It's interesting to note that a healthy microbiome in soil requires the same key elements to thrive as our bodies do, Kusner said.

"For we are the soil, and the soil is part of us, because we are part of the soil," Kusner said as she concluded.

The day's discussions and demonstrations highlighted that while no-till farming presents challenges, its potential benefits make it a worthwhile endeavor for those committed to long-term sustainability in agriculture.

Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351