Midwest farms host field days to promote techniques that boost soil health

To spread the word on practices that improve soil health, the National Corn Growers Association is promoting field days, held last week in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, with at least a dozen more events planned in those states, plus Ohio and Nebraska.

Hosted by the Soil Health Partnership, these field days demonstrate how changing certain practices, such as adding cover crops, can create lasting environmental benefits while potentially increasing farm productivity and income.

Harlan, Indiana, reunited 100-plus farmers and others interested in cover-crop demonstrations. The organizers estimated that more than 1 million acres were represented at the event. Indiana SHP field managers Hans Kok and Dan Towery explained the project’s mission, which is to catalyze enhanced agricultural sustainability and productivity by demonstrating and communicating the economic and environmental benefits of improved soil health.

Don Elsbernd hosted local growers on a tour of his farm near Postville, Iowa, to see what management practices he had used to improve the health of his soil.

Other farms also held field-day events, including David, Joe and Chase Brown's farm in Decatur, Illinois, and Leon Corzine's farm in Assumption, Illinois. Others are scheduled for Tuesday in Gilman, Iowa, and Wednesday in Bloomington, Illinois.