Soil Health

Reducing Risk through Soil Health Management in Organic Crop Production

Produced in partnership with USDA, this guide provides research-based information to help organic farmers identify and implement soil health practices that reduce production, economic, and environmental risk. It addresses challenges such as weather extremes, nutrient limitations, weeds, pests, and long-term soil degradation, with a focus on building biologically active, organic-matter-rich soils. The guide also complements crop insurance resources to support informed decision-making in organic and transitioning systems.

By |2026-03-02T11:44:13-05:00September 23rd, 2019|Resource, Soil Health|
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Practical Conservation Tillage

Organic farmers recognize healthy, living soil as the foundation of successful farming, and many seek practical means to reduce tillage in order to protect the soil organic matter, soil life, and improved tilth build up through green manures, compost applications, and other organic practices.

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Presenter Mark Schonbeck discusses the impacts of tillage on soil health, including practical, soil-friendly tillage practices for organic systems. The webinar also covers several newer tillage tools and approaches that reduce adverse impacts on soil life and soil structure.

By |2026-03-02T11:27:37-05:00January 1st, 2017|News, Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports, Weeds|
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Cover Crops: Selection and Management

Over the past 30 years, cover cropping has emerged as a key soil health and resource conservation practice for annual crop production. Truly sustainable agriculture must maintain effective vegetative cover of the soil, even when the field is not in production.

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By |2026-03-02T11:23:35-05:00January 1st, 2017|Cover Crops & Crop Rotation, News, Reports, Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports|
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Weed Management: An Ecological Approach

Organic farmers recognize healthy, living soils as essential for successful production. Perhaps the greatest soil health challenge relates to weed management, especially in annual crops. Without conventional herbicides, organic producers often use the practices of tillage and cultivation.

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By |2026-03-02T11:27:12-05:00January 1st, 2017|Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports, Weeds|
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Understanding and Optimizing the Community of Soil Life

The goal of this guidebook is to help organic farmers navigate the wilderness of soil life and soil health management by providing up-to-date, science-based information on:

  • The soil food web, its key components, and functions.
  • Assessing and monitoring soil life and soil biological condition.
  • Managing soil life for long term soil health and productivity in organic systems.
  • Biological management of plant diseases.
  • Microbial inoculants and biostimulants: whether, when, and how to use them.

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By |2026-03-02T11:30:50-05:00January 1st, 2017|Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports|
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Building Organic Matter for Healthy Soils: An Overview

This report summarizes research findings on SOM and soil health in organic farming systems, and outlines some practical applications for organic producers. Companion reports explore soil health-enhancing approaches to fertility and nutrient management, tillage, and weed control; cover crops and crop rotation, and the role of plant genetics in soil health and organic production

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Presenter Mark Schonbeck and Diana Jerkins discuss the attributes of healthy soil, the central role of organic matter, and how to monitor and enhance soil health in organic production in the recorded webinar below. The presentation will outline key organic practices for building soil organic matter and optimizing soil functions in relation to fertility, crop yield, and resource conservation.

By |2026-03-02T11:26:39-05:00January 1st, 2017|Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports|
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Building Healthy Living Soils for Successful Organic Farming in the Southern Region

Healthy, living soils provide the foundation for successful and profitable organic farming and ranching. Nowhere is soil health more vital than in the South, where organic producers face intense pressure from weeds, insect pests, parasitic nematodes, and plant-pathogens; extremes of summer heat, drought, and flood; and soil types with inherent fertility limitations. In addition, long growing seasons can make it harder to rebuild soil organic matter, especially during intensive crop production.

Building Healthy Living Soils for Successful Organic Farming in the Southern Region cover
By |2026-02-02T15:28:54-05:00December 31st, 2016|Soil Health, Soil Health and Organic Farming Reports|
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