Dakota Lakes demonstrates long-term benefits of healthy soils

Katelyn Winberg
Aug 11, 2026
1 hr ago

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Natalie Sturm, manager of Dakota Lakes Research Farm, holds a soil sample while explaining how healthy soil structure develops through long-term no-till practices, crop rotation and living roots.

Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

Attendees examine soil samples collected during a tour of Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Researchers use long-term studies to evaluate how different cropping systems affect soil health, water infiltration and crop production.

Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

Natalie Sturm, manager of Dakota Lakes Research Farm, displays a soil sample during a field tour at the Governor's Ag Summit. Sturm emphasized that building healthy soil requires a combination of no-till, crop rotation and other conservation practices.

Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

Research wheat plots grow at Dakota Lakes Research Farm near Pierre. The South Dakota State University research farm studies cropping systems, soil health and water management to help improve long-term farm productivity.

Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

Natalie Sturm, manager of Dakota Lakes Research Farm, discusses irrigation and water infiltration during a tour of the research farm at the Governor's Ag Summit. Sturm said decades of no-till management have improved the soil's ability to absorb water.

Tri-State Neighbor Photo by Katelyn Winberg

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Katelyn Winberg

When Dakota Lakes Research Farm was established in 1990, its mission was to tackle one of central South Dakota's biggest agricultural challenges: keeping water in the soil instead of watching it run off.

Born and raised on a farm in southeastern South Dakota, Katelyn currently resides in Sioux Falls. She enjoys attending SDSU football games (her alma mater), going to farmer’s markets and visiting her parents at their family farm. Reach her at kwinberg@tristateneighbor.com.