Buidling a Soil Health Partnership USHP.pptx

Breakout session Monday, February 10 at 3:45 p.m.

The Utah Soil Health Partnership began in response to the state's low adoption rates of no-till (47th out of 50) and cover crops (45th out of 50). Initially launched in 2017 with small workshops, it has grown into a comprehensive program focused on education, research, and outreach, guided by the Utah Soil Health Advisory Committee. This presentation covered the past seven years of progress, key lessons learned, and the collaborative efforts that have fostered a commitment to soil health.

Speaker: Tony Richards, Utah Soil Health Partnership and Brian David, USDA - Utah, State Agronomists

1. Building a Soil Health Partnership Utah Soil Health Partnership

2. History of Soil Health in Utah 1970s -2017 Yielder no-till drills in dryland wheat production “No-Till Phil” Rasmussen Conservation Districts from Northern Utah, visited the Menoken Farm and purchased a rainfall simulator 2017 North Cache Conservation District acquired a grant from NRCS to host workshops in the state for five years Soil Health Cadre was formed

3. History of Soil Health in Utah 2020 - Barriers and Lessons Learned Limited Localized Knowledge “Does Not Work Here !” Access to Equipment Traditional Mindset “That's how my dad did it” Risk Averse “Once bitten, twice shy” Need for a Support Network “Tillers Anonymous” Need for Formal Structure “This isn't fun anymore”

4. The Utah Soil Health Program 2021 - H.B. 296 Soil Health Amendments Passed. Established Utah Soil Health Program under UDAF and Formalized the Partnership Established a Soil Health Advisory Committee Officially recognized the importance of soil health and set program priorities

5. Utah Soil Health Partnership Purpose: to promote the adoption of soil health practices through increasing our understanding of soil health and its impacts on the productivity, economics, and environmental aspects of agriculture as well as how it benefits the general public of Utah.

6. Utah Soil Health Partnership Goal: to increase adoption of soil health practices through incentive-based volunteer programs focused on demonstration, education, outreach, research, and implementation projects through the state.

7. Soil Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) Voting members : A minimum of 7 producers from around the state, including at least two irrigators Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD) Representative Technical advisors: Members from UACD, NRCS, USU Extension, Division of Water Quality, Farm Bureau , Red Acre Center, and more) Public meeting held each q uarter

8. 6 Principles of Soil Health 1. Know Your Context 2. Minimize Disturbance 3. Keep the Soil Covered 4. Maximize Biodiversity 5. Keep a Living Root 6. Integrate Livestock Know your local climate, ecology, and goals Use non-destructive practices Protect soil from erosion & weather Build up a complex soil ecosystem Manage the carbon cycle via plant life Graze animals to break down nutrients These principles are the guide for all practical and educational activities.

9. Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn Interseeding Project: 2019 to Date 3 interseeders Purchased by Conservation Districts $127,500 in Grant Funding Equipment Purchase Cover Crop Seed Monitoring and Research

10. Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn

11. Interseeding Cover Crops into Corn

12. Utah Soil Health Network - On Farm Demonstration (CIG) Demonstration Sites: 2022-2027 5 years - $3,269,097 17 On Farm Demonstration Sites Field Days at 4 sites per year Monitoring of agronomic, economic, environmental, and social impacts Development of fact sheet and educational materials 5 sites part of regional soil carbon research

13. Utah Soil Health Network - On Farm Demonstration (CIG)

14. Soil Health Equipment Grants Soil Health Grant: 2023 - 2024 $1,000,000 from State Legislature Required to partner with a Conservation District Must be organizations work with agriculture producers 20% Cash match minimum Equipment included, no-till drills, virtual fencing, urban farm implements. Placed over 21 no-till drills around the state Equipment impacted over 33,000 acres and used by over 142 individuals in 2024

15. Soil Health Equipment Grants

16. In-Field Soil Health Assessments In-Field Assessment Program - Started Oct 2023 Assessors test and analyze the current state of soils Provide a detailed report post-assessment and provide recommendations for next steps Assessments come at no cost to the producer Encourage producers to sign for cost share programs

17. In-Field Soil Health Assessments Assessment Categories: Soil Cover Residue Breakdown Surface Crust Ponding / Infiltration Penetration Resistance Bipores Water-Stable Aggregates Soil Structure Soil Color Plant Roots Biological Diversity Request an assessment:

18. In-Field Soil Health Assessments

19. Agriculture Soil Health Outreach Program (AgSHOP) AgSHOP Grant: 2024 - 2028 5 years - $550,000 Biannual Soil Health in the West Conference Local Soil Health Workshops and Field Days Urban Soil Health Events Tribal Soil Health Group Factsheet Development and Translation Partnership Marketing Collaboration Field Staff Training Efforts

20. Soil Health in the West Conference Biennial Conference and Pre- conference Workshops Showcase regionally applicable practices in practice Producer presenters from UT, ID, NV, WY, CO, and NM 3-day event Day 1: small group in-field workshops (separate ticket) Day 2 & 3: Keynotes, breakout sessions, networking, and other conference activities Hosted in St. George, UT 2024 Conference welcomed about 350 attendees Next conference: February 2026

21. Partnership Staff Training Efforts 3 Day Soil Health Training Course for All Planners Field Days for Staff Cover Crop Management Interseeding and No-till Equipment Grazing Management Statewide Field Staff Meeting NRCS, UDAF, Extension, and Crop Advisors Round Tables and Need Assessments

22. Implementation Efforts Two rainfall simulators: Logan, UT Richfield UT Rainfall Simulator

23. Grants & Funding EQIP: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps producers integrate conservation into working lands. Through EQIP, NRCS provides one-on-one support and financial assistance to help agricultural producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources while improving agricultural operations. SFP: Strategic Funding Proposals (SFP) Offer opportunities for NRCS to work with partners to solve natural resource concerns in a strategically focused effort. Partners are encouraged to work with local NRCS District Conservationists (DC) to identify local resource issues that may be effectively treated in a 3 to 5 year timeframe.

24. Grants & Funding SFP: 2020-2024 South Bonneville Soil Health Cache Soil Health Strategic Funding Proposal Box Elder Soil Health Development SFP Bear River Valley Soil Health EQIP-IRA: Soil Health IRA fund pools since 2023 used for climate smart practices like. Conservation Cover / Conservation Crop Rotation No-Till / Reduced Till Cover Crop / Soil Carbon Amendment Mulching / Field Borders / Filter Strips

25. Lessons Learned Conservation Districts are Key Producer / Locally lead efforts are the most effective Principle based outreach / education builds better success Don't get hung up on definitions Involve the field staff Contracts to don't = success Everyone loves hats

26. THANK YOU Tony Richards, Soil Health Program Manager 435-452-2296, [email protected] Brian David, State Agronomist NRCS 435-740-0094, [email protected] Request an assessment or sign up for the newsletter at utahsoilhealth.org Request an assessment Or visit us at utahsoilhealth.org