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A supportive team for soil health

Kristen Sindelar
Jun 12, 2026
3 hrs ago

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Ag producers don’t need to be reminded of the challenging circumstances battering the industry right now. Seemingly every farmer and rancher is weighed down by growing disparity between income and expense, catastrophizing weather events and boomeranging government policies.

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NSHC 3.JPG — Ray Ward explains soil health in a soil pit during the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Hub 2 Producer Learning Event.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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NSHC 4.JPG — Producer-to-producer learning was encouraged during the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Hub 2 Producer Learning Event at Wine Glass Ranch near Imperial, Neb.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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NSHC 5.JPG — Jay Fuhrer shows samples of varying soil aggregation to attendees of the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition Hub 2 Producer Learning Event.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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NSHC 2.JPG — Jay Fuhrer, left, and Ray Ward examine soil structure at Wine Glass Ranch near Imperial, Neb.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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Monetizing the benefits of building soil health

Late last June, Zach Mader’s farm north of Grand Island soaked in a 7-inch rain overnight. I…

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Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.