Our Vision
A collective effort to increase sustainable ag production through diversification and improved soil health.
2023 Soil Health Conference Registration Open!
The 2023 Soil Health Conference will be held Jan. 24-25 at the Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls! Keynote speakers include Dr. Kris Nichols, Rick Clark, Mitchell Hora, and Roy Thompson! There will be breakout sessions, discussion panels, award presentations and more! Join us for all the fun!
News & Events
Video: 2022 Soil Health School Distinguished Researchers Panel
At the 2022 Soil Health School, Aug. 31- Sept. 2 in Garretson, SD, retired USDA-ARS soil scientist Dr. Don Reicosky, retired Dakota Lakes Research Farm manager Dr. Dwayne Beck, and Ward Laboratories founder Dr. Ray Ward took time to answer questions from the school...
Adding life to the soil: Experimenting with compost
By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – Healthy soil requires healthy, active biology beneath the surface. This includes bacteria and fungi. While the five principles of soil health – soil cover, minimal disturbance, living roots, diversity, and livestock integration – all work to...
SDSHC Provides Scholarships to FFA Regional Land Judging Winners
South Dakota FFA Bath (October, 2022) – The South Dakota FFA Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of four $100 scholarships for students placing first in one of the four SD Regional Land Evaluation Competitions this fall. 2022 scholarship recipients are:...
Our Mission
The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is a producer led, non-profit, membership organization that was created in the spring of 2015. The Coalition is governed by a nine-member board of farmers and ranchers from across the state and includes several staff members. Staff and board members strive to carry out the Coalition’s mission to “Promote Improved Soil Health” through education and research.
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.
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.
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.
Soil Health Benefits
Organic Matter
Builds organic matter which retains and cycles nitrogen and sequesters carbon; which in turn reduces fertilizer and fuel costs.
Water Infiltration
Improves water infiltration and retention which helps to better manage the effects of flood or drought and improves trafficability.
Water Quality
Healthy soils filter and clean water that moves through it, for improved water quality.
Reduced Erosion
Stabilizes soil aggregates which improves resistance to erosion by wind and water.
Wildlife Habitat
Enhances wildlife habitat and balances the biological community above and below ground.
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