By Scout Nelson
Agricultural professionals from across Nebraska recently gathered at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Rogers Memorial Farm to strengthen their understanding of soil health assessment practices and the NRCS Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA) 216 Soil Health Testing protocol.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Soil Health Program, led by Caro Córdova, UNL assistant professor, statewide soil health specialist, and co-leader of the Soil Health Team. The training was organized in collaboration with USDA NRCS, USDA ARS, and Ward Laboratories.
The event brought together 35 participants, including producers, crop advisers, Natural Resources District representatives, USDA NRCS staff, Center for Rural Affairs personnel, faculty, and students. The training aimed to provide practical skills for conducting soil health assessments and implementing CEMA 216 requirements.
The program combined classroom presentations with hands-on field activities. Participants received instruction on soil health principles, NRCS guidelines, soil sampling strategies, sample handling procedures, biological indicators, laboratory result interpretation, and the Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation (SHAPE) tool.
A field practicum gave attendees the opportunity to apply these concepts in real-world conditions. Participants practiced soil sampling methods and gained experience using assessment tools that support accurate and consistent soil health evaluations.
Feedback from participants highlighted the value of the hands-on approach. One attendee said, “I enjoyed the hands-on training and learning about what tools are available for assessment.” Another participant added, “Great to get in the field with like-minded soil health advocates.”
Survey results showed improvements in participants’ understanding of CEMA 216 requirements and soil health management practices. Many respondents indicated plans to enhance their assessment strategies, use the Soil Sampling Positioning Tool (SSPOT), and apply the SHAPE tool in future evaluations.
Support for additional training opportunities was strong among attendees. One participant noted that the program was “very worthwhile,” while another commented, “This training should be offered again for more people.”
Organizers said the training was designed to build long-term soil health assessment capacity across Nebraska. By equipping producers, agronomists, and technical service providers with practical knowledge and modern tools, the UNL Soil Health Program aims to support more informed soil management decisions.
“Our goal is to support Nebraska’s agricultural community so producers and advisers can be successful in monitoring soil health and using the results to guide management decisions,” said Caro Córdova. “We recognize that adopting soil health assessment is a significant shift. The UNL Soil Health Program is here to help by providing practical tools, current knowledge and technical expertise.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Nebraska, Education, Sustainable Agriculture