Soil Health Initiatives in Nebraska: Cultivating a Sustainable Future

By Carolina Córdova

Nebraska's agricultural landscape is evolving, with a diverse coalition of organizations spearheading innovative soil health initiatives. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions are collaboratively shaping the future of sustainable agriculture in the Cornhusker State. This article highlights the current soil health work and future initiatives of key Nebraska institutions, showcasing their collective efforts to promote regenerative farming practices. By sharing these endeavors, we aim to raise public awareness and inspire agricultural producers to engage with these vital programs, fostering a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem for generations to come.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is one of the world's largest conservation-based nonprofit organizations. Our local team in Nebraska collaborates with producers and partners to promote conservation practices on agricultural land. The TNC Nebraska row crop team is currently leading several key initiatives in the state:

1. Nebraska Soil Carbon Project: This Regional Conservation Partnership Program, in collaboration with NRCS, local NRDs and supply chain partners, provides financial and technical assistance to adopt soil health practices across the geography of the Central Platte and Upper Big Blue NRDs. The goal is to support farmers in implementing cover crops, no-till farming, and diversified rotations on 100,000 acres over five years.
2. Farming for the Blue River Project: Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this project collaborates with the Little Blue and Lower Big Blue Natural Resource Districts. It offers farmers in target areas financial and technical assistance to develop and follow nitrogen management plans to improve their efficiency.
3. Resilient Irrigation Project: In partnership with the agricultural industry, this project works with producers in central Nebraska to utilize technology for improved irrigation management. It provides financial and technical assistance for adopting precision irrigation tools, quantifies water benefits, and identifies pathways to connect with entities interested in supporting water sustainability.