Contact

Cindy Zenk

Cindy Zenk

Executive Director

43968 139th St., Webster, SD, 57274
USDA-NRCS Field Office 605-345-4661 ext 122
(605) 280-4190 (Work Cell)
cindy@sdsoil.org

Stan Wise

Stan Wise

Communications Coordinator

Aberdeen USDA-NRCS Field Office
(605) 368-4091 (Work Cell)
stan@sdsoil.org

Austin Carlson

Austin Carlson

Soil Health Technician

Flandreau USDA-NRCS Field Office
(605) 323-8061
austin@sdsoil.org

Jim Clendenin

Jim Clendenin

Soil Health Specialist

(605) 880-1657
jim@sdsoil.org

Dave Ollila

Dave Ollila

Soil Health Specialist

(605)569-0224
dave@sdsoil.org

Courtney Geppert

Courtney Geppert

Soil Health Technician

(507) 201-5098
courtney@sdsoil.org

Chris Goldade

Chris Goldade

Small Scale/Urban Ag Soil Health Technician

(605) 290-0109
chris@sdsoil.org

Wyatt Johnson

Wyatt Johnson

Small Scale/Urban Ag Soil Health Technician

(605) 280-0621
wyatt@sdsoil.org

Ryan Beer

Ryan Beer

Soil Health Specialist

(605) 390-7521
ryan@sdsoil.org

Ashley Geraets

Ashley Geraets

Analyst

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

Registration Open for 2026 Soil Health Schools!

The Coalition will host two Soil Health Schools in 2026! The West River Soil Health School is set for June 24-25 near Caputa, SD, and the South Dakota Soil Health School is set for Sept. 15-17 near Twin Brooks and Marvin, SD. These events are designed for agricultural producers as well as anyone with an interest in learning how to manage soils for resiliency and profit. The agenda features classroom style presentations by producers and technical experts from across the state and region, as well as hands-on experiences in the field. Area producers will share their challenges and successes with various methods for improving soil health, to an average class size of 30-40. Registration is open, so check out our events page to learn more!

News & Events

Building operational resilience with soil health

Building operational resilience with soil health

By Stan Wise South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Resilience. It’s one of the prizes that keeps conservation-minded land managers striving for improved soil health. Operational resilience in the face of floods, market fluctuations, rising input costs,...

Awards Announced at Soil Health Conference

Awards Announced at Soil Health Conference

During the Tenth Annual Soil Health Conference, Jan. 13-14 in Aberdeen, SD, the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition announced the winners of its two annual awards as well as the winners of its student essay and video contests. Doug Sieck was named the 2026 Legacy Award...

Farmers growing profits and soil health with winter camelina

Farmers growing profits and soil health with winter camelina

By Stan Wise By now, most people working in agriculture have heard that growing a cover crop after a cash crop is harvested can make a big difference in soil health. Healthy soil pays off in a number of ways, including reduced input costs and increased operational...