Nebraska ranks third nationally in total agricultural receipts and fourth in land in farms and ranches, according to statistics gathered by the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition. With 45 million acres – 92% – of the state’s total land area dedicated to farming, ranching and livestock enterprises, and a bountiful groundwater supply, these natural resources are the lifeblood of Nebraska’s way of life.
Jay Goertzen, left, and David Nelsen, right, examine the healthy root system and soil clump of a buckwheat plant during the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s celebration recently at Green Cover. Goertzen is part of the coalition’s producer-to-producer learning community. Nelsen is CEO of Green Cover Seed, which hosted the event at their Nebraska test plot site.
A cover crop mix loaded with buckwheat flowers planted on July 2 drew all types of pollinators for attendees to observe during the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s celebration held recently at Green Cover near Bladen, Neb. The producer led, community focused and partnership driven group was established in 2023 to protect the state’s soils and keep them healthy and productive.
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Carlos Villiareal, state soil scientist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska, demonstrates what happens to soil with various types of cover and residue after a two-inch rainfall using the NRCS’s rainfall simulator.
Nathan Choat, right, a Green Cover sales representative, shows participants in the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition’s celebration around Green Cover’s varied seed plots. He noted producers can move the needle on soil health faster with more plant diversity in their cover crop mixes. Different plants will help with different soil issues, he explained.
Part of the Soil Health Coalition gathering were roundtable discussions between producers, non-producers and soil health partners. From left: Jacob Fritton, Alexa Davis, Terry Julesgard and Claudia Stevenson.
Barb Bierman Batie grew up near Battle Creek, Nebraska, and now farms row crops with her Platte Valley Farmer, Don Batie, northeast of Lexington. She has written for local, state, regional and international publications. She joined the Midwest Messenger crew in 2010. She can be reached at barb.batie@gmail.com.
