On March 16, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) in partnership with Golden Peanut Company held a Soil Health Field Day in Leary, Georgia. Soil Health refers to the ability for soil to perform its functions and how they are being preserved for future use. This term encompasses many practices on the farm, including planting cover crops, reducing soil disturbance, preventing erosion, and more.
Field day on March 16
45 attendees, ranging from local farmers, USDA personnel, Golden Peanut representatives, and other conservation stakeholders convened to learn about the latest research in soil health, learn about cost-share programs, and to see soil health in practice.
“This is a great opportunity for us to share with others some of the practices we’ve implemented here on the farm to improve our soil health,” says Adam McLendon of McLendon Acres, Inc, who hosted the field day. “We see the benefits of those practices in reduced soil erosion and less weed pressure, just to name a few.”
Field day participants hear from the agricultural pilots at McLendon Acres, Inc. on the process of using the plan for improved efficiency on their farm, including cover crop planting and spraying.
McLendon shared various soil health practices including an overview of selecting cover crop, aerial planting, and benefits they’ve observed in their operation as a result. In addition to cover crops, McLendon Acres also leverages grid soil sampling and soil moisture sensors to maximize farm efficiency.
Plane and hopper attachment used when planting cover crop
Eric Coronel, Sustainability Director at the American Peanut Council, highlighted results of modeling various soil health practices specific to Calhoun County. Coronel pointed out that the models, which project potential impact over 30 years, is a beneficial tool for farmers developing soil health management plans.
Winter wheat cover crop
Next, Antron Williams, State Agronomist, and Jordan McDaniel, Soil Conservationist, highlighted USDA-NRCS tools and resources for developing and adopting a soil health conservation plan. Of note, the USDA-NRCS representatives highlighted cost-share programs available through CSP and EQIP. There is also additional funding through the Inflation Reduction Act announced February 21 that will focus on cover crops in the region. Williams and McDaniel encouraged farmers in attendance to develop a conservation plan with their local NRCS offices.
Lastly, attendees traveled from the field to the nearby hangar to hear from agricultural pilots at McLendon Acres on the aerial planting of cover crops.
Following the field day, attendees gathered for lunch at the hangar, where Emmanuel Bankston of ADM provided a summary to attendees of the first year of the Re:Generations™ Program. In 2022, Golden Peanut, who sponsored the field day, launched an expansion of the Re:Generations™ program in the southeast for peanut and soybean farmers.
“It’s been amazing to see the on-farm innovations already happening by conservation-minded farmers here in Georgia and across the southeast,” says Bankston. “Through the expansion of the Re:Generations™ program, we’re thrilled to directly compensate farmers for these practices and build value for sustainably grown products across the supply chain.”
Field day attendees gather at McLendon Acres, Inc
Launched in the southeast in 2022, the program directly compensates peanut farmers for soil health practices including cover cropping, no-till, and other practices that improve overall farm efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Bankston also presented host farmer Adam McLendon with a “Friend of Re:Generations™” appreciation plaque for his leadership and dedication to conservation.
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The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is comprised of farmers, landowners, and community leaders that are dedicated to the conservation, wise use, and protection of natural resources in the Flint River Basin. Learn more about the District at flintriverswcd.org. Learn more about Re:Generations™” at admadvantage.com/regen/. Reach out to Emmanuel Bankston or Perri Cooper to learn more about 2023 opportunities for the Re:Generations™” program.