With an operation that’s been called a “living laboratory,” Northfield, Minn., farmer David Legvold has embraced experimentation and shares some of the lessons learned working with local colleges and students on strip-till trials, with the goal of strengthening soil biology and creating an attractive environment for earthworms and other beneficial organisms.

After moving to the farm in 1976, I had this grand vision of being an organic farmer. Organic production was presented as the only way to go, because it was so good for the environment.

Results of the 6th Annual Strip-Till Operational Practices Benchmark study, evaluating 2018 cropping practices, underscored strip-tillers’ stability in an unstable ag market.

With the increased cost of inputs and pressure to reduce nutrient loss, farmers are looking for ways to improve productivity. Precision ag technology will continue to be a key factor in making this equation work for many farmers.

"Reduce the volume of soil disturbed.” That was the powerful and prophetic piece of advice that I received back in 2002 from Don Reicosky, the legendary USDA ARS soil scientist from Morris, Minn., when I dropped him off at the Sacramento, Calif., airport after we had hosted him in California to help us get started with reduced disturbance production techniques.