By Scout Nelson
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is partnering with Nebraska Extension to launch the Soil Health Gap project. Led by soil nutrient and management specialist Bijesh Maharjan, this initiative seeks to fundamentally improve how farmers, from crop growers to livestock producers, understand and manage soil health.
Central to the project is the creation of an interactive map for Nebraska. This map allows growers to input their cropland coordinates and instantly see how their land measures up in terms of soil health within their specific agroecological zone.
This innovative tool is grounded in extensive research, drawing on data from untouched native lands to establish benchmarks for optimal soil health. With these benchmarks, producers can identify the health gap between their managed lands and pristine native soils, guiding them in adopting practices to bridge this gap.
In addition to mapping, the Soil Health Gap project is conducting detailed studies in significant areas of the state to provide a comprehensive understanding of soil health across different landscapes.
Utilizing the NRCS's Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) classification system, Maharjan's team is meticulously gathering and analyzing soil data to populate the map with accurate, actionable information for farmers.
Complementing this research effort is the Nebraska Soil Health School, an educational outreach program designed to teach farmers about sustainable soil management practices.
Offering classes in various locations across western Nebraska, including Crawford, Sidney, and North Platte, the school covers a wide range of topics from the basics of soil health to the economics of implementing sustainable practices.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in agricultural sustainability, aiming to equip Nebraska's farmers with the knowledge and tools necessary to improve soil health, enhance productivity, and ensure the long-term viability of their lands.
With the collaborative efforts of the USDA NRCS, Nebraska Extension, and dedicated researchers like Maharjan and his team, the future of soil health in Nebraska looks bright.
Photo Credit -nebraska-extenstion
Categories: Nebraska, Education