Meet John Sorenson, a fifth-generation Minnesota farmer. To combat harsh winds threatening his sugar beets, John joined the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund to implement a rye cover crop and reduce his tillage. These changes have protected his crops and produced savings in fuel and labor costs.

Farmers are balancing a lot—from rising input costs and labor shortages to increasing weather variability. Minimizing tillage not only benefits the soil and the environment but also brings economic advantages that can contribute to a farm's profitability.

Peyton grew up on a small hog farm in southwest Ohio and developed a deep connection to agriculture from an early age. His years of hands-on experience and academic background in soil science make him a wonderful resource on the SWOF team.

Meet Jake Stricklin, a farmer enrolled in the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund from northern Illinois. Learn how this young, innovative leader in agriculture is utilizing knowledge and support from several partnering organizations to improve his operation's bottom line through reduced tillage and cover crop implementation.

Water is a critical resource, and managing it efficiently is essential to ensure sustainability and productivity in agriculture. Gain more confidence in managing this vital resource as we review the key principles of efficient irrigation practices, as well as the role conservation measures and soil health play in water management.

Meet the Allyn Family, farmers enrolled in the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund from southern Indiana. Their family has been farming for over 100 years. Last year they enrolled with SWOF to help with erosion by reducing their tillage and experimenting with cover crops.

The concept of additionality is frequently utilized to best measure the effectiveness of agricultural conservation initiatives and their environmental impact. The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund considers additionality on a field-by-field basis to help farmers both begin and expand their efforts.

Katie Nelson grew up on a diverse farm in northwest North Dakota and joined the SWOF team in October of 2023. We invite you to learn more about Katie and how she leverages her expertise in crop science and plant pathology to guide farmers in sustainable practices through her work at SWOF.

One critical aspect of regenerative farming is the management of tillage. While essential for weed control and soil preparation, tillage can have adverse effects on soil structure and water retention. Delve into the strategies for reducing tillage intensity on your farm, promoting long-term soil health and productivity.

Meet Trent Brass, a farmer enrolled in the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund from northern Illinois. Trent farms with his brother, Tom, and father, Robert. They’ve been enrolled with SWOF since June 2022 and utilize cover crops and no-till on their operation.

Meet Tom Adam, a farmer enrolled in the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund from southeast Iowa. Tom’s family has farmed their land in Keokuk County, Iowa since 1852. He has been enrolled with SWOF since May 2021 and utilizes cover crops, no-till, and an extended crop rotation on his operation.

As one of our enrolled farmers and referral partners, Travis Milne has experienced the positive effects of prioritizing soil health and conservation practices firsthand. This approach has led to increased profitability on his own land and that of his customers. Learn how SWOF's simple, farmer-centered approach appealed to this dedicated steward of the land in this month’s SWOF Spotlight.