Turning dirt into healthy soil

For Allen County farmer Matt Burkholder, no-till and cover crops are about more than changing how he farms. They are about leaving the soil better for the next generation.

Burkholder, president of the Ohio No-Till Council, shares his journey with Ohio Ag Net’s Allison Kinney, from planting his first cover crop in 2009 to seeing improvements in water infiltration, nutrient cycling, weed suppression, soil erosion, and input costs. He also discusses the challenges farmers face when adopting conservation practices and the importance of mentors along the way.

“I want to turn dirt into healthy soil for the next generation,” Burkholder said.

Listen to the full conversation to hear what Burkholder has learned through nearly two decades of working to improve soil health on his farm.