Projects

A MOSH-BWSR project to create a Minnesota action plan for scaling up adoption of soil health management practices that mitigate the impacts of climate change and increase landscape resiliency.

Crop advisors are a trusted source of information for farmers regarding all types of agronomic topics, including soil health practices such as cover crops and reduced tillage. Dr. Cates interviewed private-sector crop advisors to learn how conservation fits into their business model.

Researchers use satellite imagery to estimate the extent of cover crop growth, crop residue cover, and daily erosion losses in Minnesota. The project is funded by BWSR; and led by researchers in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, with help from Iowa State University.

Minnesota NRCS and BWSR provided funding for demonstration sites, where public and private-sector partners can collaborate to demonstrate field-scale application of soil health practices.

An NRCS-funded project collecting, analyzing and sharing on-farm soil health data to help farmers and others interpret and use soil health measurements.

To help us understand the economics of soil health management, MOSH will partially reimburse existing cover crop farmers for their participation in a Farm Business Management program.

SWCD partners are collecting pictures of cover crop growth to track how planting date and other factors impact biomass production across Minnesota.

To evaluate claims that no-till cover-cropped systems allow farmers to plant faster after rain, we’re evaluating soil conditions in different tillage and cover systems at the Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca, MN. 

Research using soil health indicators to learn why manure improves soil health.

Working with Dr. Lindsay Pease at the NW Research and Outreach Center, Cates is investigating the changes in soil organic matter with newly-installed tile drainage outside of Crookston, MN.