Putting Ideas into Action: How AFT’s Soil Health Training is Creating a Network of Conservation Leaders - American Farmland Trust

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Putting Ideas into Action: How AFT’s Soil Health Training is Creating a Network of Conservation Leaders

Left to right, clockwise: Handwritten reflections from farmers participating in the Advance Soil Health Training. – Participants benefit from hands-on experiences, including this session highlighting in-field soil health assessments with additional in-person lectures and workshops. – Photos by Julie Larsen

Standing outside a pole barn in West Central Indiana, I wait for a farmer to begin discussing his operation. Nearby, I overhear two participants from the first cohort of Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT) planning a farm visit. This is their third session on soil health practices, and their eagerness to continue learning from each other outside the training is evident.

The day before, I distributed slips of paper to all 32 farmers and agricultural advisors, asking them to reflect on the program so far. I expected only a few responses but was pleasantly surprised when nearly everyone participated. Words like ”enjoyed the discussions,”great,” and ”hands-on experiences” appeared repeatedly, showing how much participants value the program. Their feedback definitely underscored the training’s potential to drive meaningful changes in farming practices.

Producer Josh Cox of Wildcat Valley Farms talks shop in his shop before everyone heads out for a tour his cover crop field and equipment. – Photo by Julie Larsen

Scaling Up Climate-Smart Approaches

Launched by American Farmland Trust in partnership with Truterra and funded by the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, ASHT focuses on scaling up climate-smart approaches in row crop systems. Expert trainers Barry Fisher and Dennis Chessman, along with guest speakers for specific topics, bring years of knowledge to empower participants with the tools to implement and promote soil health practices in their communities.

Each session is jam-packed with a mix of classroom presentations and on-site field visits designed to provide both foundational knowledge and practical experience. Topics include soil health indicators, intentional management for optimal outcomes, real-time strategies, equipment considerations, advanced cover crop management, transitioning from conventional systems, soil health assessments, economics, and effective communication with your network.

On the second day of each session, participants explore outdoor field settings. These range from visits to farms where cover crops are boosting soil health and increasing returns on investment, to a guided tour of demonstration plots at a seed company. Here, participants received tailored recommendations on cover crop mixes and strategies to achieve specific soil health goals.

Participants themselves represent a diverse group, including a soil scientist studying soybean nutrition, farm consultants from four Midwest states, and farmers at varying stages of adopting no-till and cover crop systems. These varied perspectives enrich discussions and foster collaboration.

At the program’s conclusion in spring 2025, participants will be equipped to help producers in their networks develop actionable plans for implementing soil health practices, driving meaningful change across agricultural landscapes.

Left to right, clockwise – Course instructors are knowledgeable and able to apply classroom theory to the field. Barry Fisher shows the use of tillage radish cover crop. -Producer Josh Cox of Wildcat Valley Farms talks shop in his shop before everyone heads out for a tour his cover crop field and equipment -Producer Rodney Rulon presenting on how soil health practices provide a 201% ROI for his farm’s bottom line -Photos by Julie Larsen

Influencing Agricultural Communities

Circling back with Barry Fisher at the conclusion of the third session, he shared how pleased he was with the participants’ engagement and noted that the group had “really started to gel.” While the primary goal of this program is to equip advisors with the tools to implement soil health practices, another equally important objective is to build a supportive network for these advisors. This network will provide them with like-minded farming professionals they can rely on as they work to influence positive change in the agricultural community.

This is not always an easy task, but it is a critical one—essential for protecting our environment and ensuring future climate stability. By fostering both technical expertise and a sense of community, this program aims to create lasting, meaningful impacts on farming practices and sustainability.

Consider joining our next training! The second Midwest Advanced Soil Health Training will take place in the Des Moines/Ames, Iowa area beginning in June of 2025. To apply click on this link. If you would like to talk to a human, please contact Casey Kula, AFT’s Midwest Soil Health Specialist and the facilitator of the Midwest trainings for any questions you may have, Ckula@farmland.org.

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About the Author
Julie Larsen

Midwest Program Manager

jlarsen@farmland.org

815-209-0524

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