Closing Out the Season:
Gratitude and Grit in a Tough Farm Economy
(An excerpt from ‘The Dirt”: SCI’s Monthly Farmer Newsletter)
For most of you, harvest is wrapped up if not close. There's that familiar rhythm to this time of year - the full tilt push followed by the sense of completion and reprieve that comes after harvesting the crop you spent all year growing. But we also know that things in farm country are incredibly tough right now. I've had farmers who lived through the eighties tell me this is as bad of time economically, if not worse, for the American farmer.
Things are upside down with expenses and crop prices, and many folks are in survival mode. SCI is aware of that reality, and when we have a platform to advocate for farmers that's what we're talking about.
More than ever, creating market and other financial opportunities for farmers matters. Our team continues to engage processors and buyers interested in regeneratively grown products while also exploring other strategies to reward farmers financially for regenerating their land.
We could not do this without your participation in our program. So thank you for all you do both on the farm and as a SCI farmer.
Hope that each of you have some down time as the 2025 farming season winds down. And as always, don't hesitate to be in touch!
🌾 Taylor Herren, Senior Manager, Farm Transition Services
P.S. A quick reminder about our upcoming Field Day and Project Launch for Delta Regen Rice+, happening next week, November 4 & 5.
The Field Day will take place at Chappell Farms in Cotton Plant, AR on November 4, and SCI Farmers receive free registration. We hope to see you there. Register HERE, or feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
📸 Sunflower harvest on Jerry and Nancy Ackermann's farm (SCI Farmers)
SCI Farm Program Announcements
⚠️ Farm Data Sessions | Action Required!
If you have not had your farm data session with SCI's newest team member Brian Maisenbacher, please reach out to us to schedule.
Brian will make sure all your information is up to date, get you oriented with FarmLab, and show you how to access soil test results and program documents.
✅ SCI Verification Standard 3.0 | Guidance for Verification Participants
We're continuing to roll out Version 3 of our Verification Standard. If you're not tied to a market or don't have a verification need yet, we're not asking you to go through the verification process right now.
For those of you who do have a verification need, we want to keep familiarizing you with the standard, levels, and program requirements. Please reach out to us to schedule a time to review.
Upcoming Events
Delta Regen Rice+ Field Day & Project Launch
November 4 & 5 | Cotton Plant & Little Rock, AR
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!
SCI Farmers receive FREE registration! Please contact us for the code.
Soil & Climate Alliance Fall Network Meeting
November 18 | Virtual
This is THE meeting where the regenerative food and ag movement comes together to align, inspire, and chart what’s next! Here’s why you don’t want to miss it:
C-Suite leaders sharing insights on regenerative commitments & barriers.
Building our learning from Alexandre Family Farm on using nutrient density data in the marketplace and to obtain regulatory benefits.
The real economic outlook for regenerative farms in this turbulent market (and how to better support farmers).
Experts on building a system that makes healthier food more accessible for all, while supporting farmers.
Progress on regional market strategies, including Delta Regen Rice+ and how bringing the system together strengthens it for all.
SCI Farmers receive FREE registration! Please contact us for the code.
Premier Soil Health Event 2025
December 2-3 | Mankato, MN
The Premier Soil Health Event is for farmers, by farmers. Hosted by the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, this event brings local, national, and regional soil health experts together to provide farmers and ranchers information they can use to improve their operation.
Jerry Ackermann (SCI Farmer) will be presenting about adding a new crop to the rotation (sunflowers!).
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
WEBINAR | November 4 at 1:00pm ET
Enterprise Budgets: Figuring Your Cost of Production
Leasing arrangements and rental rates are among the most important decisions in any farm or ranch business. This session, presented by UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability, explores current trends in cash rental rates for cropland and pasture, and offers practical tools for structuring agreements that balance risk and reward for both tenants and landowners.
Learn how to evaluate flexible leases, understand regional rate differences, and use survey data to guide fair and informed negotiations.
WEBINAR | November 6 at 11:00am ET
Improving Choices: Takeaways from the National Cover Crop Variety Project
Presented by the Farmers for Soil Health education team, composed of U of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture and the Soil Health Institute, this farmer-focused webinar will feature Dr. Etienne Sutton, who will break down key insights from the latest 2024–2025 NCCVP report. This nationally coordinated, USDA-funded research effort evaluates cover crop performance across regions and growing conditions aimed to empower farmers with the data they need to make better, more confident decisions.
Who should attend?
Farmers using or considering cover crops
Ag advisors and conservation professionals
Seed dealers and cover crop suppliers
Anyone curious about cover crop breeding and improved variety options