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  • Soils

    • Soil Health
    • Soil Surveys

Soil Health

Unlock the Secrets in the SoilIndiana farmers are on a Health Kick!  Soil Health is soil managed to its maximum potential through a system of conservation practices, including never-till, cover crops, advanced nutrient and pest management, and buffers and drainage systems where appropriate.  This approach results in healthy soil that reduces erosion, requires less nutrient inputs, manages the effects of flood and drought, and reduces nutrient and sediment loading to streams and rivers.  Indiana success with this approach, being promoted through the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative, is getting national attention and will be a focus of NRCS this year.

Indiana Soil Health Profiles - Print

Anson Family Soil Health success story

Anson Family Farm          

(PDF; 3.1 MB)    

Roger Wenning Soil Health success story

Wenning Family Farm

(PDF; 4 MB)

Don Villwock Soil Health success story

Villwock Family Farm

PDF; 2.86 MB)

Keusch Farms

(PDF; 3.3 MB)

Kruer Family Farm

(PDF; 869 KB)

Indiana Soil Health Profiles - Videos

Starkey Heart and Soil Photo

Mike Starkey says you have to be a good manager to make soil health management systems work. Producers should gradually “grow into it,” Mike says, and they should be open minded and willing to learn from their peers. Mike has done all of that, and it’s paying dividends on his farm. Watch video

Rulon Heart and Soil Photo

Rodney Rulon and his family were a little bit reluctant to get started with cover crops. They didn’t have any experience with covers, and so they started with about 60 acres their first year. But the Arcadia, Indiana family soon saw the benefits and now have about 3,000 acres “under cover.” More importantly, they’re very pleased with the results. Watch the video: Profile in soil health: Rodney Rulon.

Maloney Heart and Soil Photo

Thanks to his focus on soil health, Jack Maloney says his yields have increased on his “Little Ireland Farms” every year for the past 10 years. “It hasn’t been easy,” he says, “but with the right attitude, you can make it work.” See video

DeSutter Heart and Soil Photo

Dan DeSutter is focusing on the long-term, but says he’s already seeing improved yields and better water infiltration on his farm thanks to his soil health management system. Watch video

Indiana Soil Health Briefings

In May 2016, the Indiana NRCS Soil Health Team joined forces with Indiana Prairie Farmer to promote their passion of soil health through monthly articles titled “A Salute to Soil Health.”

The articles are provided to help Indiana landowners understand the fundamentals of soil ecology, what they can do to build soil health on their farm and how to work with their farming partners to increase their land’s long-term production potential.  For nearly five years now, the team submits between three to six monthly articles regarding a soil health topic.  These briefings are published on the Indiana Prairie Farmer website and in its print magazine.  What sets them apart from the others is that their stories are not only in being utilized Indiana, but all over the country – most recently in South Dakota. 

 Read the published articles here.

National NRCS Soil Health Website

Soil is a living and life-giving substance, without which we would perish. As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is of paramount importance. So much so that we believe improving the health of our Nation’s soil is one of the most important endeavors of our time.

By focusing more attention on soil health and by educating our customers and the public about the positive impact healthy soils can have on productivity and conservation, we can help our Nation’s farmers and ranchers feed the world more profitably and sustainably – now and for generations to come.

The resources on this soil health section of our site are designed to help visitors understand the basics and benefits of soil health – and to learn about Soil Health Management Systems from farmers who are using those systems.

"Unlock the Secrets of Soil" on the National Soil Health webpage. 

Indiana's Soil Health Strategy

Indiana NRCS leadership will make the relentless pursuit of functioning soil health a priority for all NRCS employees in Indiana. This decision is based on the positive resource benefits achieved from the promotion of soil health through conservation cropping systems across the state over the past several years.

  • 2019 Indiana Conservation Partnership (ICP) Soil Health Philosophy (PDF; 2 MB)
  • 2018 Indiana Soil Health Long-term Strategy (PDF; 45 KB)
  • Indiana Soil Health Long-term Strategy (DOC; 35 KB)
  • Indiana 2013 Soil Health Strategy (DOC; 84 KB)
  • Indiana 2012 Soil Health Strategy (PDF; 163 KB)

Soil Health Publications

National NRCS PUBLICATIONS
  • 5 Questions for Nonoperating Landowners (PDF; 2MB)
  • Basics and Benefits (PDF; 1.5MB)
  • Dig a Little Learn a Lot (PDF; 3.1MB)
  • Discover the Cover (PDF; 3MB)
  • Do Not Disturb (PDF; 2MB)
  • Soil Health Checklist (PDF, 946KB)
  • Soll Health Key Points (PDF; 3.3MB)
  • Healthy Soil High in Organic (PDF; 1.7MB)
  • Health Soils Full of Life (PDF; 2.3MB)
  • Principles for High Functioning Soils (PDF; 1.4MB)
INDIANA NRCS PUBLICATIONS
  • Carbon to Nitrogen Ratios in Cropping Systems (PDF; 175 KB)
  • Cover Crop Seeding Technotes (PDF; 689 KB)
  • Soil Health Pocket Card (PDF; 164 KB)
  • Farming in the 21st Century 11x17 poster display (PDF; 213 KB)
  • Soil Health 11x17 poster display (PDF; 310 KB)
  • Indiana Soil Health Successes  (PDF; 157 KB)
  • 21st Century Soil Health  (PDF; 754 KB)
  • Soil Health Cropping Systems (PDF; 227 KB)
  • Soil Health For Cleaner Water (PDF; 218 KB)
  • Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative Brochure (PDF; 3.9 MB)   
  • Slake Demonstration (PDF; 475 KB)
PURDUE UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS
  • Cover Crops for Modern Cropping Systems
  • Cover Crops for Nitrogen Management
  • Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres

Soil Health Videos

  • Healthier Soils for Healthier Farms
  • Soil Health and Sustainability
  • South Carolina Soil Health Videos

Soil Health Helpful Links

Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative

The Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) promotes a systematic approach to production agriculture focusing on continuous no-till/strip till, cover crops, precision farming, and nutrient and pest management.  This will result in improved soil quality, water quality and profitability on Indiana cropland. The CCSI is a resource for the 92 Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts to carry out their conservation cropping systems goals and objectives.

SoilHealth.net

This site is ultimately about getting successful soil health building practices on the ground and to provide a vehicle to aid in that endeavor.

Cover Crops Survey Analysis

A new report from the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) indicates that farmers who used cover crops in drought-affected parts of the country last summer had better corn and soybean yields than those who didn’t. Cover crops are a critical management component in soil health management systems.

#NoTillNovember Beards

Contact Information

For more information about Soil Health, contact Stephanie McLain at:  317-295-5824 or stephanie.mclain@usda.gov 

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