Soil Health Delivers Through the Storms
(An excerpt from ‘The Dirt”: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter)
The farm season is in full swing, with planters rolling across fields and the spring work rhythm taking over. For many of you, days stretch from dawn to well past sunset as you make the most of every workable hour.
Weather remains our great humbler. In Arkansas, we just saw 15 inches of rain in 3 days - a stark reminder that Mother Nature holds the reins. These extremes seem to be our new reality: wild temperature swings, droughts followed by floods, and unpredictable planting windows.
This is exactly why soil health matters so much. When your soil better infiltrates heavy rains, maintains consistent temperature, and holds moisture through dry spells, you're building resilience. Healthy soil is your first defense against weather extremes - absorbing when there's too much, providing when there's too little.
“Healthy soil is your first defense against weather extremes - absorbing when there’s too much, providing when there’s too little. ”
Farmers, don’t forget to join us for our monthly Office Hour this Thursday at 4pm ET. This month will feature Grant Breitkreutz, 2024 Leopold Conservation Award recipient in MN.
As you navigate these challenges, we're here to support your soil health journey with planning assistance, testing guidance, or just being a sounding board for tough decisions.
Here's to healthy soil, successful planting, and steady nerves as the season unfolds.
🌾 Taylor Herren, Senior Manager, Farm Transition Services
PROGRAM UPDATES
SCI Soil Testing Guidance & Methodology, Version 1.2
Newly Updated!
SCI has updated the protocols for lab and in-field soil testing. If you’re planning to soil sample soon, please read through the Soil Testing Guidance & Methodology V-1.2 document in the link below.
This document provides guidance on:
Soil Testing
Methodology & Process, including protocol centered around Soil Health Monitoring Points (SHMP)
Field Testing
UPCOMING EVENTS
Webinar: USDA NRCS Programs and Details
April 24 at 12pm CT | Virtual
This webinar will offer an update from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and cover the status of and participation/benefit information related to financial assistance programs like:
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)
CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program)
RCPP (Regional Conservation Partnership Program)
ACEP (Agricultural Conservation Easement Program)
Regenerative Revival: A Celebration of Farmers, Food, and Family
May 3 | Salado, TX
Join Soil Regen next month at Barrow Brewing Company the Regenerative Revival: A Celebration of Farmers, Food, and Family.
This unique event is dedicated to honoring the farmers and ranchers who nourish our nation while highlighting the essential connection between soil health, nutrient-dense food, community, education, and regenerative agriculture.
All day long, attendees can engage with local farmers, sample fresh products, and learn more about regenerative agriculture while enjoying craft beer made with regenerative malt from Root Shoot Malting Company in Loveland, Colorado.
SCA On-Farm Network Meeting
June 17-19 | Atlanta & White Oak Pastures
Join us for the Soil & Climate Alliance (SCA) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA.
This event is an excellent opportunity to build relationships with other farmers along with brands and other organizations that can support what you're trying to accomplish on your farm. You'll engage in learning sessions and collaborative working groups at the Emory Conference Center Hotel.
Registration also includes a farm visit and tour of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA. As one of the most well-known regenerative farms in the U.S., White Oak Pastures is a living example of how holistic land management, multi-species rotational grazing, and on-farm processing can restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and create thriving rural economies.
🌾 Registration is FREE for SCI Farmers! Contact us HERE to receive the discount code.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Introducing, The Ryzosphere
A private, invitation-only platform designed for the regenerative, organic, and bioregional food system.
The Ryzosphere is a digital hub where farmers and producers can connect using an Ai enabled asset mapping and digital community tools. Like Air BnB but for B-B food & Ag. The mission is to scale the regenerative, organic and bioregional food supply chain by creating new market opportunities for growers to produce and make it easier to sell nutrient-dense crops into new market channels.
Founder, Joni Kindwall-Moore, developed The Ryzosphere after years of fielding calls from regenerative growers seeking better access to processing and markets and building supply chains.
The team is weeks away from the beta launch B2B community ecosystem that links farms, ranches, processors, and buyers through innovative tools like interactive mapping and enhanced profiles, fostering productive connections and streamlining business operations.
As they approach beta launch, The Ryzosphere is looking to bring top farmers and ranchers from organic, regional, and regenerative food systems into the digital hub.
There are two ways to learn more and get involved! If interested, please:
🌾 Join the Ryzosphere Launch Farmer and Rancher waitlist.
🌾 Join one of our “pre- launch” event webinars with Q&A to explore how The Ryzosphere can help your farm or business thrive in the regenerative food market. Next date: Thursday, May 1st at 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET