All-day bus tour to teach area farmers best practices for healthy soil

After years of drought, the area finally got some much-needed rain. Then, more rain. And more. And more.

It might even be more than farmers in Rice and Steele counties bargained for, which could impact the health of their farmland. Farmers with concerns about soil health might consider signing up for a new Soil Health Bus Tour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 31.

The free event is organized by Cannon River Agricultural Collaborative, which includes several area farming organizations including the Rice Soil and Water District and Clean River Partners, among others.

The tour, which includes a free lunch, takes farmers, legislators and other industry leaders from Northfield to Owatonna and back, stopping at three farms along the way to learn about farming practices that benefit the soil and environment, said Clean River Partners Communications Coordinator Felicia Hokenstad.

“This is important because these practices benefit the environment and contribute to the long-term sustainability and productivity of their farms,” she said. “Another goal is to share valuable information about the Carbon Intensity Score, carbon-credit programs and market opportunities.”

While there are 56 seats on the bus itself, Clean River Partners Conservation Program Assistant Maggie Stahley said organizers plan to rent another, should more show interest. So far, there are 51 people signed up. There is a maximum of 200 spots.

In the past, the tour was self-guided. That version is still accessible online at the Environmental Initiative’s website, which is included in a breakout with this story. This is the first year it’s been held as a bus tour.

As Hokenstad put it, the tour isn’t only for farmers.

“This tour is a great opportunity for farmers to see firsthand how implementing conservation practices on farms does not compromise profitability,” Hokenstad said. “It is also a great way for the public to get out on some farms and learn about what local farmers are doing to make a difference in conserving the environment.”

It could be of great benefit to farmers though, especially given recent trends in soil health. The sustainability practices that attendees are expected to learn about aren’t just there to help save the environment’s overall health, but to protect the value of one’s farmland.

“Through our Farmers Protecting Bridgewater Streams project, we’ve noticed 30% less nitrate concentration in tiles draining fields with cover crops compared to fields with no cover crops,” she said. “Cover crops help prevent soil erosion, improve soil health, and reduce nutrient pollution by absorbing excess nutrients. This, in turn, helps improve water quality, reduce harmful algae blooms and support the growth of beneficial aquatic life.”

She also said attendees will learn about various minimum-tillage practices, which Rice County fifth-generation farmer Jim Purfeerst said is helpful in mitigating erosion. He said he uses vertical-till and some no-till at his farms.

“Your minimum-tillage practices that are being used out in the country — strip-till, no-till, vertical-till — them all make a huge impact as far as soil loss,” he said. “They protect the soil so it doesn’t erode. It really helps with the erosion-aspect of things. … There’s a few fields around that are heavily tilled on different operations, and there’s some severe soil loss happening on some of their soil.”

Hokenstad said her big concern lately has been the high nitrate levels in the soil, also from heavy rains.

“The nitrogen data from this growing season appear to show the same trends observed previously,” she said. “Yes, the nitrate/nitrite levels are higher this year, which is to be expected given that the last few drought-years have enabled nitrogen to stay in the soils due to a lack of water.”