Celebrating the Soil Health Revolutionaries on National Ag Day

Today is National Ag Day, a time to recognize the hard work of farmers, ranchers, and everyone involved in providing food, fiber and renewable resources for the world. At Soil Regen, we want to dedicate this year's National Ag Day to the pioneering agricultural producers who are thinking outside the box and leading a revolution in soil health and regenerative practices.

The old conventional model of industrial agriculture has been highly productive, but often at the cost of soil degradation, erosion, and long-term resilience. We've learned that simply taking from the soil without giving back is unsustainable. Fortunately, many innovative producers are changing the narrative.

These soil health trailblazers are diversifying their operations with practices like cover crops, no-till/reduced tillage, adaptive multi-paddock grazing, integrated crop-livestock systems, and incorporating perennial crops and prairie strips. Rather than viewing soil merely as an inert growing medium, they understand that soil is a living ecosystem—the foundation for thriving farm ecosystems and human communities.

By focusing on building soil health and biological resilience, these regenerative producers are restoring dynamic nutrient cycles, improving water infiltration and moisture retention, increasing biodiversity above and below ground, drawing down atmospheric carbon, and so much more. The benefits are multi-faceted and highly impactful, from the farm scale to the global scale.

Transitioning to these new holistic, systems-based approaches takes courage, wisdom, and long-term vision. It means challenging longstanding assumptions and confronting obstacles and risks in the short-term. But these pioneers clearly see the warning signs of sticking with the increasingly brittle and high-input status quo.

So to all of the soil health trailblazers out there—we celebrate you on this National Ag Day. Your entrepreneurial spirit, open-mindedness, willingness to experiment, and grit in the face of adversity are truly inspiring. You represent the future of productive, profitable, and ecologically regenerative agriculture. Every bite and fiber we consume owes a debt of gratitude to your hard work in restoring soil health.

From all of us at Soil Regen and on behalf of soil microbes and earthworms everywhere: Thank you for your vision and leadership. We're proud to support you as you quite literally blaze new ground in regenerative agriculture. Here's to building a future where prosperous farms, vibrant soils, and thriving communities become one and the same.

Illinois Dust Storm

We are so upset by the tragic loss of life caused by the Illinois dust storm this week. Do we believe this is the fault of the farmers in the area? NO. However, as a community we need to help educate producers on regenerative practices and the benefits of soil health. This community includes agronomists, land-grant universities, NRCS, scientists, extension, and most importantly, farmer to farmer education. As David Brandt, Ohio No-Till Farmer, stated, "We need to work together to make sure this tragedy never happens again." Our prayers go to the families of those involved in this horrific incident.

Winds at the time were gusting between 35mph and 45mph, the National Weather Service said.

“It’s very flat, very few trees,” meteorologist Chuck Schaffer said. “It’s been very dry across this area really for the last three weeks. The farmers are out there tilling their fields and planting. The top layer of soil is quite loose.”

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/01/illinois-dust-storm-crashes

The benefits of regenerative agriculture are many, including reducing wind and water erosion. Our topsoil is a precious resource and we must protect it.

Soil Sampling Season!

Soil sampling season is upon us in some areas of the country and coming up soon in others. We get a lot of questions about when to pull a Haney test. Here's the low down...........

1. Establish your purpose

• Reduce input costs

• Fertility recommendations

• Monitor microbial community health

• Build a testing program

• Be consistent in sampling

• Be adaptable as your goals change

If you are wanting fertility recs, please sample 2 weeks prior to fertilizer application or purchase. If you are wanting to monitor soil health over time, sample at the same moisture and temperature conditions at generally the same time every year.

2. General Sampling How To

• Typical depth of sampling is 0 to 6 inches. Can use other depths, but must include depth with sample. If you want a direct measurement of your improvement, you can take a 0-6" sample and a 6-12" sample. The upper depth represents your management zone and the 6-12" represents your baseline. You can also get subsoil nutrient recs as well using two depths.

• 10-15 cores composited into one sample

• Keep cool or near field soil temp - can be frozen for longer storage

• Send to lab in plastic freezer bags or plastic lined paper soil bags

• Samples can represent 40-100 acres depending upon soil variation, field size, and cropping system

• Soil temp should generally be above 50 degrees F

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If you have questions about soil testing and sampling or would like more information about the Haney test, please feel free to contact us at liz@agsoilregen.com!

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We exclusively use Regen Ag Lab in Pleasanton, NE for all of our soil testing. www.regenaglab.com

You can find soil sampling instructions here!

1. Soil samples can be collected using a clean, rust-free probe, spade or shovel. A soil probe allows samples to be taken from an accurate depth. If using a spade or shovel, a furrow slice may be taken. Remove all vegetation and residue prior to sampling.

*Note: Use clean instruments and avoid the use of lubricants (i.e. WD-40) when sampling to prevent inaccurate results.

2. Collect a representative sample from areas that best represent the field average. Be sure to sample from areas with similar soil types, topographies and covers. Avoid problem areas that do not accurately represent your soil. We recommend a soil temperature at a minimum of 50° F.

*Example: If a field has three (3) predominate soil types in a ratio of 50%, 30%, and 20%, soil cores should be taken from those sites in similar ratios for a representative sample. This sample example can be used for topography and production.

3. Using a soil probe, insert the probe at a 90° angle, without twisting, to 6”. Twist a quarter of a turn then pull straight out. If the soil is clearly compacted more than 1” within the probe, remove the core and sample again. The probe does not need cleaned between sampling, unless the probe is clogged, or the soil is wet.

*Note: All samples must be taken from the same depth for proper interpretation

4. Combine at least six (6) cores for the area of interest. Thoroughly mix cores and send a subsample of two (2) cups in a plastic lined paper soil bag or plastic bag (i.e. sandwich bag, whirlpac, etc.)

5. Clearly label all the sample bags with unique identifiers provided by Topsoil. These labels must match the label names used on the submittal form and must indicate the desired test and sampling depth in addition to necessary customer information (Soil Regen and account number 138).

*Hint: Label bags using a Sharpie or pen prior to sampling to prevent labels from smearing.

6. Store samples in a cool and shaded location for a maximum of two (2) days or in the fridge for a maximum of two (2) weeks prior to shipping. If longer times are expected, store in the freezer.

*Note: Microbial activity can be strongly impacted if not properly stored.

7. Place all samples and submittal forms in a box and ship samples using a standard carrier. We recommend two (2) to three (3) day shipping.