Our Vision

The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition, led by farmers and ranchers, supports the advancement of land stewardship and profitability by nurturing life from the soil up.

A photo of several people standing in a field of cover crops that are about shoulder high.

Registration Open for Two Soil Health Schools!

The 2025 West River Soil Health School will be held June 25-26 in Caputa, SD, and the 2025 Soil Health School will be held September 3-5 in Huron, SD. Each of these two schools will feature outstanding instructors consisting of industry professionals, researchers, and experienced producers. The days will be split between classroom discussions and field exercises designed to help you improve your land and your profit margins through regenerative agriculture practices. Visit our events page to learn more about these excellent learning opportunities!

News & Events

Awards, new board member announced at Soil Health Conference

Awards, new board member announced at Soil Health Conference

PIERRE, SD – The Ninth Annual Soil Health Conference, Jan. 15-16 at the Ramkota Hotel and Event Center in Watertown, SD, saw approximately 500 attendees, including over a hundred students. The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition was thrilled to offer this opportunity...

Study finds soybean yields resilient following late rye termination

Study finds soybean yields resilient following late rye termination

By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – A cover crop of quick growing cereal rye can keep the soil in place over winter’s brown and blowing days. Its long roots soak up excess spring rains, and its straw helps block weeds. The more...

Our Mission

The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition works in collaboration with agriculturalists to support the implementation of practices to improve soil health. Our producer-led organization offers resources, training, and events that demonstrate how healthy soil results in vibrant communities.

5 Principles of soil health

1. Soil Cover

Keep plant residues on the soil surface. Look down, what percentage of your soil is protected by residue? Erosion needs to be minimized before you can start building soil health.

2. Limited Disturbance

Minimize physical, chemical, and biological disturbance as much as possible. You will start building soil aggregates, pore spaces, soil biology, and organic matter.

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3. Living Roots

Keep plants growing throughout the year to feed the soil. Cover crops can add carbon to the soil, providing a great food source for micro-organisms. Try to add a perennial to your system. Start small to find the best fit for your operation.

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4. Diversity

Try to mimic nature. Use cool and warm season grasses and broad leaf plants as much as possible, with three or more crops and cover crops in rotation. Grassland and cropland plant diversity increases soil and animal health.

5. Integrating Livestock

Fall/winter grazing of cover crops and crop residue increases livestock’s plane of nutrition at a time when pasture forage quality can be low, increases the soil biological activity on cropland, and improves nutrient cycling. Proper grassland management improves soil health.

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Soil Health Benefits

Organic Matter

Builds organic matter which retains and cycles nitrogen and sequesters carbon; which in turn reduces fertilizer and fuel costs.

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Water Infiltration

Improves water infiltration and retention which helps to better manage the effects of flood or drought and improves trafficability.

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Water Quality

Healthy soils filter and clean water that moves through it, for improved water quality.

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Reduced Erosion

Stabilizes soil aggregates which improves resistance to erosion by wind and water.

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Wildlife Habitat

Enhances wildlife habitat and balances the biological community above and below ground.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Healthy soil will be key to feeding 9 billion people by 2050.

Earthworm populations consume 2 tons of dry matter per acre per year, partly digesting and mixing it to form healthy soil.

Healthy soil is made of about 45% minerals 25% water 5% organic matter and 25% air.

One teaspoon of healthy soil contains 100 million–1 billion individual bacteria.