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Terry Ness explains his regenerative ag practices during a 2024 tour of his operation just east of Pierre. Photo courtesy of the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition.

Regenerative ag practices build operational resilience with improved soil health

By Stan Wise, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition 03/22/2026

Resilience. It’s one of the prizes that keeps conservation-minded land managers striving for improved soil health. Operational resilience in the……

Winter camelina provides excellent forage for pollinators. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Farmers growing profits and soil health with winter camelina

By Stan Wise, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition 02/18/2026

PIERRE – By now, most people working in agriculture have heard that growing a cover crop after a cash crop……

Gene and Craig Stehly use a variety of regenerative agriculture practices, which provide food and habitat for wildlife on their farm near Mitchell. Photo courtesy of National Resources Conservation Service of South Dakota.Gene and Craig Stehly use a variety of regenerative agriculture practices, which provide food and habitat for wildlife on their farm near Mitchell. Photo courtesy of National Resources Conservation Service of South Dakota.

Fall harvest reveals wildlife benefits of soil health

By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition 11/15/2025

PIERRE – Judging by the number of pheasants stirred up from his fields during corn harvest, Craig Stehly was anticipating……

Dan and Becca Kruger reported their 12-foot-tall orange accordion tomato plant had produced fruits weighing up to one pound four ounces. Dan Kruger attributed the sizable growth to adjusting the pH level of the soil to between six and seven. Reporter and Farmer photo by Leyton Beardslee.

‘Outrageously large’ accordion tomato plant reaches 12 feet in Webster garden

By Leyton Beardslee, Webster Reporter & Farmer 10/15/2025

Webster residents Dan and Becca Kruger planted their garden earlier this year and with some nurturing care have managed to……

In mid-December 2024, White River rancher Lealand Schoon began using virtual fencing collars to manage the goats in his targeted grazing program to combat encroachment by woody plant species. The use of these collars allowed Schoon to keep the goats grazing throughout the winter when weather conditions would have made it difficult to move corrals for the goats on a daily basis. Courtesy photo.

Virtual fencing can make a real difference for ranchers

By Stan Wise, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition 04/20/2025

Moving livestock is an inescapable part of a rancher’s life, and it can be labor intensive, especially if a producer……

Tom Vander Heiden of S.T. Biologicals of Plymouth, Minn, spoke recently at the Aberdeen Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center. Photo by Connie Sieh Groop.

Nanotechnology enhances delivery of crop products

By Connie Sieh Groop 03/23/2025

Farmers face a series of complex choices each spring. Producers wrestle with decisions about the right products to enhance growth……