Soil Health Information
- South Dakota Soil Health Lessons with video clips and related publication
- South Dakota Videos (YouTube)
- Merit or Myth Videos Playlist
- "Soil Stories" of South Dakota Farmers and Ranchers (brought to you in cooperation with South Dakota's Conservation Districts)
- Grow and Tell Video Series
- Visit Unlock the Secrets of the Soil NRCS National web resources
- Producer Profiles of our South Dakota Voices for Soil Health
- Time Lapse Videos
- Our Amazing Grasslands (Videos of South Dakota grazers using soil health practices)
- Growing Resilience with Soil Health videos
- Growing Resilience through Our Soils videos
USDA-NRCS South Dakota Soil Health Technical Contacts
- Soil Health Theater (University of Nebraska)
Rainfall Simulator Shows Importance of Soil Health
The South Dakota Rainfall Simulator provides a "seeing is believing" demonstration of how practices such as no-till farming, cover crops, and prescribed grazing benefit soil health and improve the water cycle on cropland and rangeland across the state. No-till cropland and rangeland managed with prescribed grazing increase infiltration and reduce runoff and sedimentation. This demonstration includes discussion of topics such as infiltration, aggregate stability, soil structure, and the relationship of these properties to runoff, erosion, and water quantity. You may view the rainfall simulator in action by clicking on the link below.
- Rainfall Simulator Demonstration (38 minutes)
- Rainfall Simulator (Table Top) Demonstration (6 minutes)
Growing Connections - Soil Health Mentor Booklet
Request a copy of the 40-page “Growing Connections” publication with a list of South Dakota farmers and ranchers who have volunteered their time and expertise to help others with soil health. Also included in the publication are contact information for subject-matter experts for agronomy, soils, grassland management and more! Printed copies of the booklet are available by contacting Public Affairs.
Additional Information
South Dakota Soils
Learn MoreHealthy Soils
Healthy soil is the foundation of organic farming. NRCS can help farmers and ranchers with a number of conservation practices that build healthy soil.
Learn MoreSoil Health Education and Outreach
Lesson plans, educator guides, soil quality test kits, soil health posters, and other educational resources about soil health.
Learn MoreSoil Health Educators Guide
Soil Health Kit Guides and Videos to help teachers and educators implement their soils curriculum.
Learn More