FRSWCD and Golden Peanut Company Host a Soil Health Field Day Event

FRSWCD was happy to partner with @ADM @Goldenpeanut on a successful soil health field day Feb 27th.

On February 27, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) in partnership with Golden Peanut Company held a Soil Health Field Day in Metter, 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.

“We are excited to partner with Golden Peanut and ADM to highlight soil health practices specifically in peanut production,” says Perri Cooper, Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District Executive Director. “Not only do we get to hear from researchers and technical service providers, but directly from farmers on the forefront of adopting these soil health practices.”

45 attendees, ranging from local farmers, USDA personnel, UGA Extension 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.

Eric Coronel, Sustainability Director at the American Peanut Council, kicked off the field day by highlighting the results of modeling various soil health practices specific to Bulloch County. Coronel pointed out that modeling, using USDA data, is a great way to estimate long-term impacts of incorporating soil health practices.

Next, Tracy Cole, State Resource Conservationist, and Jason Gatch, District Conservationist, highlighted USDA-NRCS tools and resources for developing and adopting a soil health conservation plan.

Cole demonstrated the principles of an on-farm soil health assessment. This includes observing field conditions of soil cover, crusting, infiltration, penetration, aggregates, structure, color, biodiversity, and other indicators. The hands-on demonstration gave attendees an opportunity to learn more about identifying areas of particular interest in their farm’s soil health plan.

Gatch highlighted cost-share programs available through CSP and EQIP. He also noted that additional funding through the Inflation Reduction Act announced on February 21 will focus on cover crop in the region. Gatch encouraged farmers in attendance to develop a conservation plan with their local NRCS offices.  

Lastly, attendees heard from host farmer Ricky Nevil on his farm practices, as well as from County ANR agent Bill Tyson on the results of local field trials. Nevil commented on increased yields on fields where soil health practices had been implemented over the past several years. Keeping roots in the soil also greatly reduced wind erosion, which the field was particularly prone to.

Tyson reviewed the results of both fungicide and variety trials in Bulloch County.

Following the field day, attendees gathered for lunch at Dutch Ford Farm, where Emmanuel Bankston of ADM provided a summary to attendees of the first year of the Re:GenerationsÔ Program.

“This is one of the first group of farmers to jump on to this program,” Bankston shared with attendees. “We’re happy to work with y’all to pay you for these soil health practices you’ve already been doing on your farms.”

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 Ricky Nevil with a “Friend of Re:GenerationsÔ” appreciation plaque for his leadership and dedication to conservation.  

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:GenerationsÔ at admadvantage.com/regen/. Reach out to Emmanuel Bankston or Perri Cooper to learn more about 2023 opportunties for the Re:GenerationsÔ program.

###