Ray Flickner’s use of cutting-edge technologies and management practices to conserve water and boost soil health — and willingness to put everything under a microscope for all to see — makes him more than worthy of the 2025 Strip-Till Innovator Award.

Third-generation farmer solves his erosion problems with strip-till & cover crops.

Ray Flickner gives an up-close look at his 360 RAIN autonomous irrigation and nutrient application system, which he’s been using to apply water and nitrogen (N) for almost 2 years now in Moundridge, Kan. The 2025 Strip-Till Innovator explains the benefits and challenges he’s encountered with the cutting-edge technology so far.

Ray Flickner started strip-tilling almost 20 years ago in Moundridge, Kan., after installing sub-surface drip irrigation — which delivers waters directly to the roots underground. The 2025 Strip-Till Innovator shows how the system works and explains why it’s been a game-changer for his entire operation.

John Deere dealer PrairieLand Partners is putting its latest precision technology under the microscope for all to see thanks to a unique collaboration with the Flickner Farm in Moundridge, Kan.

2025 Strip-Till Innovator Ray Flickner and his son, Ryan, showcase the family’s first strip-till toolbar — an Orthman 1 tRIPr — that they bought in 2005. The Moundridge, Kan., strip-tillers go over the unique features of the unit, which was retrofitted to apply herbicide while making strips.

2025 Strip-Till Innovator Ray Flickner showcases his Autonomous Pivot radar unit that can perform up to 300 soil moisture readings per rotation without disturbing the soil. The Moundridge, Kan., strip-tiller explains how it’s helping him increase profitability by decreasing pumping costs while maintaining yield.

2025 Strip-Till Innovator Ray Flickner goes over his crop rotation and talks about the importance of having living roots year-round in his Moundridge, Kan., soils. Flickner also digs into the December-made strips to show how they’re holding moisture in a dry year, and he reveals his no. 1 challenge with strip-till.