Harvest Season Reflections:
Resilience in a Challenging Year
(An excerpt from ‘The Dirt”: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter)
Rolling into this harvest, farmers are facing a tough economic reality. Input costs are high, commodity prices are unimpressive, and there’s just so much uncertainty in the world right now.
Despite all of that, harvest season still brings that familiar energy. Farmers getting antsier by the day, ready to cut, wanting to see how the year turned out.
During this time of year especially, what strikes me is the resilience of farming families and their communities.
Working from sunrise to sundown, people helping each other out, loved ones bringing meals out to the fields so y’all can keep farming hard. All in sight of a short breather on the other side until next season rolls around.
The photo above is from my visit with Rod and Rick Sommerfield of Sunnyfield Farm in Mazeppa, Minnesota this summer. The Sommerfields survived the hog industry collapse in the 1990s when many families lost everything. Like any farming family who has lasted for generations, they have reinvented themselves multiple times in the face of the tightest of margins.
They're a reminder of the unparalleled resilience and persistence of the American farmer.
Farmers, keep up the great work on your farm and good luck wrapping up the season. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out.
🌾 Taylor Herren, Senior Manager, Farm Transition Services
Farm Program Announcements
FarmLab & Farm Data
Brian Maisenbacher, SCI Farm Team
As a reminder, we're working one-by-one with farmers to get everyone onto FarmLab, complete farm plans, and build our acre bank.
We're now using FarmLab for mapping and soil sampling. SCI farmer maps are updated on the platform along with all soil test results to date.
Additionally, Brian Maisenbacher has joined the SCI Farm Team and is supporting with soil sampling and farm data. Our goal is to reduce paperwork as much as possible, and we're making huge gains thanks to him.
Welcome, Brian!
Upcoming Events
Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI) Forum
October 6-8 | Minneapolis, MN
This event brings together bold thinkers and capital allocators to explore how diverse forms of investment can drive this agricultural transition.
Use code SOILCLIMATE10 to receive 10% off!
RFSI Bootcamp: October 6
A half-day, pre-course to the RFSI Forum geared toward farmers, ranchers, producers, emerging brands and early stage start-ups that would like to better understand the regenerative food systems investment landscape and how to more effectively engage in it.
Delta Regen Rice+ Field Day
November 4 | Cotton Plant, AK
Join us for the Regen Rice Field Day at Adam Chappell's farm in Cotton Plant, AR!
Co-hosted by the AR Soil Health Alliance and the Soil & Climate Initiative, we'll begin with soil health demos, and spend the afternoon in field and pasture talking about regenerative practices. On-farm lunch and evening BBQ included. Optional Day 2 in Little Rock will focus on regenerative rice market development.
Join us for one or both days!
The Big Soil Health Event
December 8-9 | Cedar Fall, IA
Hosted by Soil Regen, this event will provide farmer-first education, training, and networking assistance to increase soil health and function, quality of life, and ROI.
Through community support and producer empowerment, we aim to improve generational family farming and ranching while regenerating the lands on which they operate.
Located at the Bien Venu Event Center in Cedar Fall, IA.
RESOURCES
How to Beat the Weeds in a No-Till Landscape
Limiting or ceasing tillage offers improvements to soil health, but it can lead to problems with weeds.
Here are a few ways you can beat weeds in a no-till environment.
Article by: Briana Yablonski, modernfarmer.com
University of Missouri: Center for Regen Agriculture
Earn a Certificate of Completion for Fundamentals of Cover Crops
SCI farmers receive Pillar 6 Continuous Learning credits toward Verification!
The purpose of this certificate course is to better equip farmers, farm advisors, conservation professionals, and others interested in the fundamental concepts related to using cover crops. 11 training modules will provide knowledge on cover crop selection, management, economics, and related topics.
INDUSTRY
Future Beef Leaders Receive $100,000
The next generation of beef leaders is already putting in the hard work—on ranches, in classrooms and in research labs. The Colvin Scholarship Fund recognizes and supports their dedication, awarding 27 students across the country a combined $100,000 this year to continue their pursuit of innovation, growth and leadership in the beef industry.