On February 12, 2025, 46 farmers, conservationists, and agricultural professionals gathered at McLendon Acres, Inc. in Leary, GA, for the third annual Soil Health Field Day. Organized by the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) and ADM/Golden Peanut, this event was a deep dive into soil health practices that aim to protect agricultural landscapes for the long term.
The field day kicked off with a welcome from field day sponsors ADM/ Golden Peanut. Through ADM’s Re:Generations Program, ADM/Golden Peanut enrolled over 400 thousand acres in 2024 in cover crop incentive programs, which provides farmers direct per acre payments to adopt practices such as cover cropping and no-till. This program actively addresses the growing consumer demand for sustainability in food production.
“We view our role in this space as being a vital link between the farmer and consumer – we feel it is important to be involved and support the growth of regenerative agriculture and the benefits it brings to the farm,” says Blair Hillen, General Manager U.S. Shelling for Golden Peanut. “We challenge ourselves to continuously learn and evolve our program to fit the need of our grower and customer partners alike.”
As more consumers become aware of the environmental impact of agriculture, they are increasingly seeking sustainably grown products. This program plays a vital role in meeting that demand by supporting regenerative farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental sustainability, ensuring that consumers can trust the origins and production methods of the food they purchase.
Following the welcome from ADM/ Golden Peanut, Joseph Ford, Territory Manager with LMC Ag, highlighted new and innovative equipment from LMC Ag that was prototyped on McLendon Acres, Inc in 2024. The “Strip Reconditioner” allows farmers to till only 12 inch strips, leaving space between rows undisturbed, and only tills three to four inches of the soil profile. This self-contained system will be manufactured in Albany, Georgia.
Following the presentation from LMC Ag, attendees traveled to the field, where speakers provided hands-on talks about various soil health principles.
First, attendees were introduced to findings from a cover crop trial in Terrell County by UGA extension agent Seth McAllister. The objective of the trial is to gain a better understanding of the fertility value from cover crops when considering added expenses from seed, equipment, and time of incorporating cover crops into an operation.,
“My job as an ANR agent is to share what is working, and what's not,” says McAllister. “It takes dedication to have folks plant a cover crop.”
McAllister highlighted considerations of fall planting date to maximize the value of cover crops, suggesting planting a cover by November 14 to maximize fall growth and value. Other considerations presented included termination timing, as some chemicals, such as Dicamba to terminate legume covers, require 28 days and one inch of rain prior to planting cash crop. This session sparked great interest, particularly regarding how cover cropping can fit into diverse farming operations, not just for peanuts, but also for other row crops and even cattle grazing.
"Cover crops go down into the soil, grab nutrients, and bring them back to the surface,” says Scott Tubbs, cropping systems agronomist at the University of Georgia (UGA) who presented on the agronomic benefits of cover crops.. “This recycling process allows crops to access nutrients, while minimizing nutrient leaching into the water table. You're making money from the crop that succeeds by being a good steward of the soil and the environment."
Blake Shepard, production manager for Mixon Seed Service, highlighted the cover crops blends developed by Mixon Seed Service to create an accessible approach for farmers hoping to incorporate cover crops into their production system. The blends are developed and based on the proceeding cash crop.
Mixon Seed Service is focusing on developing certified seed for species and varieties of cover crops suitable to the southeast, which Shepard highlights as an advantage. Specifically, the group is currently working on AU Sunrise Clover and Florida 405 Rye, which are both early maturing varieties bred regionally.
“Cover cropping works when times are good,” Shepard remarked, “but it also works when times are bad.”
A rainfall simulator demonstrated how runoff can affect soil health, showing the stark differences between well-managed fields and those at risk of erosion. Nick McGhee with the USDA NRCS Plant Material Center in Americus, GA led the simulation, giving participants a firsthand look at how poor soil management practices can cause long-term damage to the land.
The event wasn't just about learning new techniques; it was a call for farmers to think about the long-term impacts of their practices. Following the field presentations, attendees heard from representatives from both the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Congressman Sanford Bishop’s office on issues. As Dominic Lariccia, representing Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, put it, “The challenges that farmers face today, providing for the present, are like none we’ve ever seen. Regenerative soil practices are key to preparing for the next 150 years.”
The event ended with a recognition of local farmers for their dedication to sustainability. Marty and Adam McLendon accepted this recognition on behalf of McLendon Acres, Inc. in Calhoun County and Mark Gwines accepted on behalf of Gwines Farms in Worth and Dougherty Counties. Honorees received farm signs, presented by Golden Peanut Company.
The Soil Health Field Day was not just a showcase of practices that could help farmers maximize their productivity today, but a vital step toward ensuring that agriculture can continue in Georgia for generations to come. The discussions and insights shared reaffirmed the importance of caring for the land that provides for us. Farmers are paving the way toward sustainable farming practices, and the field day proved that small changes in soil management can make a big impact on both the environment and a farmer’s bottom line.