Latest News From Conservation

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Ogallala Aquifer Summit 2024: Tackling Tough Water Issues

The Ogallala Aquifer Summit brings diverse stakeholders and policy makers together to collaborate on how best to manage the High Plains’ precious water resources into the future.

Soil Genomics Company Catalogs More Than 24 Million Microorganisms
Soil Genomics Company Catalogs More Than 24 Million Microorganisms

Biome Makers said it pairs artificial intelligence with its soil database to decode soil biology and provide growers with more actionable information.

Bayer Announces 2024 Carbon Program, Expanding Opportunities
Bayer Announces 2024 Carbon Program, Expanding Opportunities

“Our mission is to improve and expand our program to create additional opportunities for even more American farmers,” said Leonardo Bastos, Senior Vice President of Ecosystem Services at Bayer Crop Science.

Indigo Ag Announces Third Carbon Crop
Indigo Ag Announces Third Carbon Crop

The company says its year-over-year growth includes more farmers paid (215% increase in new growers), more fields enrolled (333% more new acres and a 297% increase in new fields) and more credits produced each year. 

Have You Heard of Scope 3? It Offers Opportunity for Agriculture
Have You Heard of Scope 3? It Offers Opportunity for Agriculture

Scope 3 is all the buzz lately in the world of sustainability. A company’s emissions are broken down into three scopes. Scope 3 covers indirect emissions from a company’s upstream and downstream supply chain.  

2024 Top Producer Of The Year Christine Hamilton: Driven For Excellence
2024 Top Producer Of The Year Christine Hamilton: Driven For Excellence

At Christiansen Land and Cattle, they’re committed to excellence and continuous improvement, a mindset that started when Christine Hamilton’s family homesteaded in South Dakota in 1891.

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All for the Soil – Jacob Kaderly: Upper Midwest Regional Winner
All for the Soil – Jacob Kaderly: Upper Midwest Regional Winner

Jacob Kaderly’s passion for land stewardship can be credited to his father’s management practices on the family farm and his service on the Wisconsin State Conservation Board during the 1970s.

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Eye on Erosion – Chris Von Holten: Midwest Regional Winner
Eye on Erosion – Chris Von Holten: Midwest Regional Winner

In the early 1980s, teenager Chris Von Holten, watched as heavy rains eroded the soil away on his family’s Illinois farm. Because of that event, Von Holten’s farming management focuses on soil preservation.

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Long-Term Vision – Don Morse: Northeast Regional Winner
Long-Term Vision – Don Morse: Northeast Regional Winner

Almost 50 years ago, Michigan farmer Don Morse put conservation tillage to the test on his 3,100 acres, years before the federal government began offering subsidies to farmers as an incentive to conserve the soil.

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Committed to Conservation - Brad Doyle: South Regional Winner
Committed to Conservation - Brad Doyle: South Regional Winner

The conservation story of Brad and Joyce Doyle’s Arkansas farm is far from its final chapter. With sustainability efforts evident throughout the farm, they want their acts to prosper the next generation.

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2024 ASA Conservation Legacy Awards

The annual American Soybean Association (ASA) Conservation Legacy Award Program announces its four regional winners for the 2024 Awards.

2024 Top Producer Next Gen Award Winner: Finding Opportunities Between the Rows
2024 Top Producer Next Gen Award Winner: Finding Opportunities Between the Rows

Working and training with her mother, in 2019 Hallie Shoffner took the lead as CEO and continues to focus on growing the business, searching for opportunities in specialty crops and value-added production.

5 Ways Truterra Wants To Break The Carbon Market Adoption Plateau
5 Ways Truterra Wants To Break The Carbon Market Adoption Plateau

“We can move so much faster. By our estimates, less than 2% of farmers are participating in these programs industry wide,” Truterra president Jamie Leifker says.

Carbon Tech Banks on Deeper Roots
Carbon Tech Banks on Deeper Roots

“Our goal is simple: use traits to help plants grow deeper roots,” says Cquesta CEO Michael Ott.

3 Questions to Consider About Carbon Programs
3 Questions to Consider About Carbon Programs

Shop around if you’re interested in participating in a carbon program. Just make sure you have a learning mindset and a healthy level of skepticism in order to find the right one.

Soil Carbon Enhancing Seed Flowability Agent Enters U.S. Market
Soil Carbon Enhancing Seed Flowability Agent Enters U.S. Market

In 2024, the company, which started in Australia in crops such as barley and canola, is offering its product for use on soybean acres in six states: MN, SD, ND, WI, NE and IA. 

4 Ways Your Business Might be Green Hushing
4 Ways Your Business Might be Green Hushing

Sarah Beth Aubrey shares why instead of promoting their environmental efforts, some companies opt for a quieter approach, potentially saying nothing at all.

Trimble Launches Connected Climate Exchange Marketplace
Trimble Launches Connected Climate Exchange Marketplace

By connecting farmers, agronomists, ag retailers and carbon buyers in one marketplace, the Connected Climate Exchange enables participation in carbon markets and sustainability programs, according to a press release.

Want to Avoid Leaving Climate-Smart Money On the Table? There's An App for That
Want to Avoid Leaving Climate-Smart Money On the Table? There's An App for That

AgWeb and Trust In Food’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator is matching producers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.

Renovo Seed Brings 80 Forage, Cover Crop and Conservation Seed Mixes to Market
Renovo Seed Brings 80 Forage, Cover Crop and Conservation Seed Mixes to Market

Renovo seed mixes will be available via a network of seed dealerships and ag co-operatives. Orders can also be placed online for direct shipment.

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Telling The Sustainability Story
Telling The Sustainability Story

As using sustainable practices becomes an even more essential part of farm business, BASF remains committed to helping the industry achieve its goals and to helping measure and communicate what is already being done.

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The Scoop Podcast: One Ag Retailer Is Bringing Climate Smart Grant Work To the Fields
The Scoop Podcast: One Ag Retailer Is Bringing Climate Smart Grant Work To the Fields

Here are examples of how Star of The West has built connections and expanded opportunities for farmers. 

Hitting Pay Dirt with Regenerative Ag
Hitting Pay Dirt with Regenerative Ag

By layering disciplines in agronomy, environmental sciences and data analysis, ag retailers are unlocking new opportunities to work with farmers.

What’s The Best Word? Farmers and Advisers Share Preferences Around Conservation Agriculture Terms
What’s The Best Word? Farmers and Advisers Share Preferences Around Conservation Agriculture Terms

To better understand the word choices preferred by farmers and ag retailers/crop advisers, Farm Journal conducted online surveys this fall asking both groups.

Poll: How Do You Describe Conservation Production Systems?
Poll: How Do You Describe Conservation Production Systems?

Take our three-question survey to help understand farmer preferences about word choice around conservation practices

John Deere and Cargill Partner To Expand Regenerative Ag Practices
John Deere and Cargill Partner To Expand Regenerative Ag Practices

Via the partnership, farmers who participate in RegenConnect can easily synchronize their in-field practices and data record keeping via John Deere’s Operations Center.

What Is a Carbon Intensity Score?
What Is a Carbon Intensity Score?

Here are the FAQs for farmers who are exploring carbon’s next chapter on the farm.

Growers Who Rely Upon Cover Crops Say Diversity is Key to Maximum Soil Health Benefit
Growers Who Rely Upon Cover Crops Say Diversity is Key to Maximum Soil Health Benefit

Eighty percent of U.S. growers participating in the 2022-23 National Cover Crop Survey report trying cover crops. Two Indiana farmers share what they've learned along the way and some recommendations.

Truterra Unveils Four Sustainabilty Programs For Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana Farmers
Truterra Unveils Four Sustainabilty Programs For Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, Kansas, Illinois and Indiana Farmers

Here are further details about each program, enrollment requirements, and geographic specifics.

5 Steps to Step Into Sustainability
5 Steps to Step Into Sustainability

For many growers, it can be incredibly difficult to know where to start.

Align Your Team For Regenerative Ag Changes
Align Your Team For Regenerative Ag Changes

“When you look at the big picture, ultimately regenerative agriculture practices will increase the value of your land over time,” says Jerry Hatfield.

Carbon Intensity Is Going To Be A Team Sport
Carbon Intensity Is Going To Be A Team Sport

“This is an immense opportunity. For the first time, 45Z provides farmers and biofuel manufacturers a scoreboard with a transparent points system and a business model that rewards scoring points," says Mitchell Hora.

Act Now to Access Conservation Funding Through the Inflation Reduction Act
Act Now to Access Conservation Funding Through the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant climate legislation ever enacted. The package includes more than $19 billion to support USDA conservation programs, but the money won't last forever.

Agoro Carbon Marks Two-Year Milestone Totaling $15 Million in Payments
Agoro Carbon Marks Two-Year Milestone Totaling $15 Million in Payments

Last year the company said its payments totaled $9 million so far. 

New Name For Its 50th Anniversary: Bio Huma Netics is Now Huma
New Name For Its 50th Anniversary: Bio Huma Netics is Now Huma

“We’re merging our family of brands to streamline our offerings, and ultimately, demonstrate a consistent company fabric across all the industries we touch,” said Huma CEO Lyndon Smith in the company’s announcement.

Nutrien Ag Solutions and Bunge Announce Soybean Program to Connect the Value of Sustainabilty
Nutrien Ag Solutions and Bunge Announce Soybean Program to Connect the Value of Sustainabilty

For 2023, the geographic focus is to enroll 100,000 acres around two Bunge crush facilities: Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Decatur, Indiana. 

Carbon’s Next Chapter On The Farm
Carbon’s Next Chapter On The Farm

“If you raise 200 bu. corn with a CI score of 0, that’s $1.57 per bushel and an extra $314 in value. Now, the ethanol plant isn’t expected to share 100%, but it could be 25% to 30%," says Paul Neiffer, a farm CPA.

John Phipps: The Surprising Solution to Prevent Deadly Dust Storms in the Future
John Phipps: The Surprising Solution to Prevent Deadly Dust Storms in the Future

High winds and dust proved to be a deadly combination last week on I-55 in Illinois. Proponents of no-till and cover crops say this tragedy could have been averted. John Phipps provides his perspective.

Bi-Partisan Bill Aims to Provide More Technical Service Providers via NRCS
Bi-Partisan Bill Aims to Provide More Technical Service Providers via NRCS

The bipartisan bill sponsors say this will address a shortage of TSPs who work with farmers to adopt conservation practices via USDA-NRCS programs, and this legislation will build on the framework of the 2023 Farm Bill.

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Eyes on Soil Health: Conservation practices help reduce erosion, boost organic matter
Eyes on Soil Health: Conservation practices help reduce erosion, boost organic matter

Veteran farmer Don Guinnip knows the value of conservation. Farming in the Wabash Valley, the sixth-generation corn and soybean producer is accustomed to growing crops in what he says is “not prime farmland.”

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Groups Work to Streamline Technical Service Provider Credentials with Other Accreditation
Groups Work to Streamline Technical Service Provider Credentials with Other Accreditation

Those who are CCAs (for example) could apply their accreditation toward their TSP status. There’s word from Capitol Hill of two bills being introduced in the senate to provide for such reciprocity.

How Habitat Management Plans Drive Healthier Land, Livestock and Forages
How Habitat Management Plans Drive Healthier Land, Livestock and Forages

Funding for habitat management is being examined as legislators and lobbyists evaluate how farm bill programs will be administered in the future. Many want more flexibility in the programs for farmer and rancher use.

The Carbon Games: Agricultural Producers Still Looking for the Leaderboard
The Carbon Games: Agricultural Producers Still Looking for the Leaderboard

“What we need to do to move carbon past the starting line is to show farmers the scoreboard and tell them exactly what they need to do to earn their points,” said Mitchell Hora.  

 Can the $20-Billion Inflation Reduction Act Get Rolled Out Quickly Enough?
Can the $20-Billion Inflation Reduction Act Get Rolled Out Quickly Enough?

Industry experts say the new legislative package represents a 'generational opportunity' for conservation funding and needs to reach U.S. farmers and livestock producers sooner rather than later, starting this spring.

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Covering All His Ground: For Rob Stout, short-term conservation goals led to long-term benefits.
Covering All His Ground: For Rob Stout, short-term conservation goals led to long-term benefits.

Rob Stout knows conservation practices help him leave the land in better shape than it was before. And he knows planting cover crops on 100% of his acreage is one method to help accomplish that.

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2023 ASA Conservation Legacy Awards

2023 ASA Conservation Legacy Awards Winners

Changing Attitudes
Changing Attitudes

When Tom Perlick’s father unexpectedly passed away, Perlick knew he had to keep the farm in the family. Perlick soon blazed a conservation trail that proved the naysayers wrong.

Water First
Water First

It’s water first when it comes to Terry and Lori Dabbs most treasured resource. For these Stuttgart, Arkansas farmers, their farming legacy solely focuses on water conservation.

In Perfect Harmony
In Perfect Harmony

Michael Vittetoe’s conservation efforts work to synchronize production agriculture with a vibrant ecosystem to produce nutritious food.

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Marking a Trail: Farm-level traceability helps Knuth operation back up conservation work
Marking a Trail: Farm-level traceability helps Knuth operation back up conservation work

Angela Knuth wanted to track loads of grain during harvest. Beginning her data collection was simple and clear. Today, the increased documentation on their operation provides transparency in all aspects of their business

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