Soil Health Labs

Soil Health Labs
  • 4.8 (10)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Soil Health Labs are located in the Environmental Health Sciences Department in the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. That may be surprising to most, especially since the University of South Carolina has no Ag School! Our mission is to promote soil health, not only as something that’s good for the farmer and the environment, but we also want to highlight soil health as a public health tool. Think about it. Healthy soils and healthy crops, mean healthy farmers and consumers, never mind an ever-improving environment. One idea we are embracing is that of Regenerative Farming where we embrace the idea that if farmers change the way they manage the soils, they can actually improve, or regenerate environmental conditions through less disturbance, keeping soils covered with residue or canopies, keeping live roots I the soil year round and be reintroducing animals into the whole system. While we cut our teeth promoting soil health through video and social media (Soil Stories; Under Cover farmers: Science of Soil Health; Merit or Myth; Growing Resilience) we do have several research and outreach projects that we are doing with farmers in South Carolina.

  1. May 20

    Top Drought Strategies That Help Farms and Ranches Recover Faster

    This is a short-form episode pulled from a larger discussion with South Dakota NRCS specialists on the realities of managing through dry conditions across the Great Plains. Across South Dakota, producers are watching an uneasy growing season unfold. Crops are emerging slowly. Cool-season grasses are heading early. And while long-range forecasts remain uncertain, concerns about drought persistence and heat are already shaping decisions on farms and ranches across the region. In this episode, the conversation focuses on what resilient operations are doing differently right now—from contingency planning and forage management to adaptive grazing, plant diversity, cover crops, and protecting long-term soil function during drought. One of the major themes throughout this discussion is that resilient operations are rarely built in the middle of crisis. They’re built beforehand—through flexibility, planning, diversity, and management systems designed to adapt when conditions turn difficult. This discussion features: Tanse Herrmann — State Grazing Lands Soil Health Specialist, NRCS Marcia Deneke — State Agronomist, NRCS Emily Rohrer — State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS 👉 For the full long-form drought discussion, stream the complete episode here. 📌 Topics Discussed in This Episode • Drought contingency planning for farms and ranches • Adaptive grazing management during forage shortages • Why diverse pastures recover faster during drought • Native grasses vs. introduced monocultures • Early indicators of moisture stress in crops and pastures • No-till and cover crop advantages during dry conditions • Practical barriers to changing crop rotations • Using flexibility and adaptive management to build resilience Additional Resources Mentioned: 👉 Our first podcast episode in this series on drought: https://growingresiliencesd.com/podcasts/episode/1be26141/the-drought-playbook-for-resilient-farms-and-ranches 👉 South Dakota Grazing Exchange: https://sdgrazingexchange.com 👉 SD Grassland Coalition Drought Planning Tools: https://droughtplansdgrass.org If you found this episode valuable, consider leaving the podcast a five-star review or sharing it with another producer navigating dry conditions this season.

    Top Drought Strategies That Help Farms and Ranches Recover Faster

  2. May 14

    The Drought Playbook for Resilient Farms and Ranches

    Drought doesn’t begin when the grass turns brown. It begins much earlier—when producers continue operating as though rain is guaranteed. In this short-form episode, three experienced South Dakota Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) representatives—Tanse Herrmann, Marcia Deneke, and Emily Rohrer—share practical strategies for navigating dry conditions before they become a crisis. This conversation is focused on one central idea: Hope is not a drought plan. The discussion moves beyond panic and reaction into practical decision-making for both livestock and crop producers. From delaying pasture turnout and adjusting stocking rates to rethinking fertility timing, yield goals, crop plans, and forage options, this episode is about staying flexible while protecting both the resource and the bottom line. The speakers also explore how drought can create opportunities for collaboration between crop and livestock systems—including grazing standing crops, alternative forage options, and tools like the South Dakota Grazing Exchange. Throughout the episode, one message remains consistent: Act early. Stay flexible. Protect the resource.   What You’ll Learn Why drought planning must begin before conditions become severe The importance of delaying turnout when grass is “green but not growing” Why realistic yield goals matter during dry years How split fertilizer applications can reduce risk Practical contingency planning for failed or stressed crops How grazing standing crops can create value while protecting soil Why residue management matters during drought The role of flexibility and alternative enterprises during uncertain years    Key Insight Drought doesn’t just test a season. It tests the system. The operations most likely to weather difficult years are often the ones that planned early, stayed flexible, and protected their soil and forage base before conditions worsened.   Go Deeper This conversation also inspired an article. To read, go here: 👉 “When the Rain Doesn’t Come: A Practical Drought Playbook for Farmers and Ranchers” https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/post/when-the-rain-doesn-t-come-a-practical-drought-playbook-for-farmers-and-ranchers   Additional Resources Mentioned 👉 South Dakota Grazing Exchange: https://sdgrazingexchange.com 👉 SD Grassland Coalition Drought Planning Tools: https://droughtplansdgrass.org   About the Speakers Tanse Herrmann is the South Dakota NRCS State Grazing Lands Soil Health Specialist, focused on grazing management, drought resilience, and long-term grassland function. Marcia Deneke serves as South Dakota NRCS State Agronomist, helping producers navigate agronomic decisions related to soil health, crop management, and risk reduction. Emily Rohrer is the South Dakota NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist, working directly with producers on grazing systems, forage planning, and rangeland resilience. Together, they bring decades of practical, field-based experience helping producers adapt to changing conditions while protecting the long-term health of their operations.

    The Drought Playbook for Resilient Farms and Ranches

  3. May 5

    Soil Salinity Solutions: What Farmers Can Do Right Now

    Salinity doesn’t show up overnight—and it doesn’t go away with a quick fix. In this two-part series, Shane Jordan helps us connect the dots between what’s happening this year and what it will take to respond effectively. Episode 1 explores why conditions are aligning for salinity to expand—wet years, rising water tables, and bare soil setting the stage. Episode 2 moves into practical strategies—how to rebuild function in the soil and begin turning the tide. Together, they tell a single story:Salinity is not a spot problem. It’s a system problem.   The Big Takeaway What looks like a white patch in a field is often just the symptom. The cause lies in how water moves across the entire landscape—and how management either accelerates or slows that movement.   Go Deeper If you’d like to explore Shane’s thinking in more detail, these two articles expand on the ideas in this series: 👉https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/soilsalinity 👉https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/post/soil-salinity-south-dakota-2026 👉https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/post/you-can-t-fix-salinity-with-a-box These pieces dig further into the “why” and the “how,” including the limits of treating symptoms and the importance of whole-field thinking. ⭐ In this episode, Shane also discusses the Regenerative Pilot Program where the NRCS is investing $700 million to support regenerative agriculture. For more info, go here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/regenerative-pilot-program   About Shane Jordan Shane Jordan is a Resource Conservationist with the NRCS Brookings Area Ecological Team, specializing in salinity management, soil health, and whole-farm conservation planning. He grew up on a diversified farm in Iowa and holds a B.S. in Range Management from South Dakota State University. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Shane has worked across the Northern Plains in roles including range conservationist, district conservationist, and watershed project specialist. He served 23 years as District Conservationist in Redfield, South Dakota, working directly with producers to implement conservation systems on working lands.  In 2025, Shane was awarded the Hugh Hammond Bennett National Planner Award, one of NRCS’s highest honors. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in conservation planning, long-term commitment to working with landowners, and excellence in applying resource management to real-world agricultural systems.  Known for his practical, relationship-based approach, Shane emphasizes whole-system thinking—helping producers move beyond treating symptoms to addressing the underlying causes of resource challenges.

    Soil Salinity Solutions: What Farmers Can Do Right Now

  4. Mar 24

    Soil Salinity: The Biggest Problem Growing in Your Fields

    Salinity hasn’t gone away—and in some parts of South Dakota, it may be setting up for a comeback. In this short, focused episode, Buz Kloot sits down with conservationist Shane Jordan to unpack why conditions are aligning for salinity to re-emerge as a serious issue this year. What looks like a dry start may actually be the trigger for something deeper—literally. This episode sets the stage for understanding the problem before diving into solutions in Part 2.   What You’ll Learn Why last year’s wet conditions are still affecting fields today How a rising water table + dry conditions can amplify salinity The role of capillary rise in bringing salts to the soil surface Why bare soil and lack of living roots make the problem worse How management decisions (tillage, crop loss, inputs) contribute to risk Why salinity is ultimately a water cycle problem, not just a soil issue “When we get a really wet year followed by a dry one… we actually see a lot of these salts get enhanced.”    Key Insight Salinity is not just a patch problem—it’s a systems problem. What shows up as a white patch in a field is often just the symptom. The cause lies in how water moves (or doesn’t move) across the entire landscape.   Why This Year Is Different Extremely wet conditions in parts of the region last year (30+ inches in some areas) Saturated soils leading to elevated water tables Limited plant growth or destroyed crops in affected areas Fields left bare and vulnerable to evaporation Early signs of a potentially dry season Together, these create the perfect conditions for salts to move upward and accumulate at the surface.   What to Watch For This Spring Areas with standing water last year Field edges near wetlands, ditches, and drainages Spots where crops were stressed, drowned out, or chemically terminated Expanding patches of white or crusted soil   Learn More We’ve compiled practical resources, videos, and producer insights here: 👉https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/soilsalinity   Coming Next (Part 2) In the next episode, we move from problem to practice: What you can do right now to slow salinity Short-, medium-, and long-term strategies Why early intervention makes all the difference   About Shane Jordan Shane Jordan is a Resource Conservationist with the NRCS Brookings Area Ecological Team, specializing in salinity management, soil health, and whole-farm conservation planning. He grew up on a diversified farm in Iowa and holds a B.S. in Range Management from South Dakota State University. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Shane has worked across the Northern Plains in roles including range conservationist, district conservationist, and watershed project specialist. He served 23 years as District Conservationist in Redfield, South Dakota, working directly with producers to implement conservation systems on working lands.  In 2025, Shane was awarded the Hugh Hammond Bennett National Planner Award, one of NRCS’s highest honors. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in conservation planning, long-term commitment to working with landowners, and excellence in applying resource management to real-world agricultural systems.  Known for his practical, relationship-based approach, Shane emphasizes whole-system thinking—helping producers move beyond treating symptoms to addressing the underlying causes of resource challenges.

    Soil Salinity: The Biggest Problem Growing in Your Fields

  5. 12/17/2025

    Agroecologist: Why Crop Rotations Outperform Both Tillage and No-Till in Long-Term Studies

    This is a short-form episode featuring Natalie Sturm, pulled from our recent interview and focused on one of the most important—and often overlooked—drivers of soil health: crop rotations. We’re launching these short-form episodes to better serve our audience. Instead of listening to a full 60–90 minute conversation, you can now jump straight into the most valuable insights—practical, research-backed takeaways you can apply immediately. In this segment, Natalie explains why the tillage vs. no-till debate misses the bigger picture. Drawing from her research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, she shares how two side-by-side no-till fields—managed with the same equipment and soil type—can perform completely differently based on rotation history alone. The difference shows up not just in yields, but in soil structure, organic matter, and resilience. For the full interview with Natalie, please stream the long-form episode here. Natalie Sturm didn’t grow up in agriculture—she’s originally from suburban Chicago. Her early concern for climate, biodiversity, and human health led her to Montana State University, where she earned a B.S. in Agroecology through the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems program. She went on to complete her M.S. at South Dakota State University, studying long-term no-till crop rotations at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Her thesis demonstrated that rotation diversity, small grains, cover crops, and livestock are key to improving soil quality and yields—not just no-till. Natalie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Washington State University, where she studies the effects of cropping systems on soil compaction in the Palouse region. In 2025, she will return to Dakota Lakes as its new Research Farm Manager. 📌 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📄 Natalie’s full M.S. thesis: “It’s Not Just No-Till: Crop Rotations Are Key to Improving Soil Quality and Grain Yields at Dakota Lakes Research Farm” 👉Read or download here🎥 Natalie’s video on crop rotations 👉Watch here on Dakota Lakes site🎥 Dakota Lakes 2020 Virtual Field Day Playlist (20 videos) 👉View full playlist here📝 Related Blog Post: Beyond No-Till: Why Crop Rotations Matter More Than You Think 👉Read the blog post

    Agroecologist: Why Crop Rotations Outperform Both Tillage and No-Till in Long-Term Studies

  6. 12/10/2025

    Rethinking No-Till: Why Rotations, Residue, and Diversity Matter More Than We Thought

    Guest: Natalie Sturm Hosts: Dr. Buz Kloot and Dr. Gabe Kenne Running time: 62 mins “We could take a shovel, and shovel up some soil in one field, and then just go across the dirt road, and the soils would look completely different... it kind of blew my mind that the only difference between those two fields was the crop rotation they had been under for the past 20 to 30 years.” —Natalie Sturm Episode Summary: Natalie Sturm is a rising voice in cropping systems and soil health. She joins us to reframe the tillage conversation—not as a binary between conventional and no-till, but as part of a broader system that includes crop rotation, residue management, livestock integration, and long-term soil function. Drawing on her M.S. research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Natalie shares insights about why no-till alone isn’t enough and how thoughtful rotation design can drive both soil quality and profitability. We talk about: Why two side-by-side no-till fields can look dramatically differentHow biomass, not just crop diversity, builds better soilsThe drought resilience of long rotationsHow longer rotations can reduce herbicide and pesticide useThe economics of dryland vs. irrigated systemsPractical tips for transitioning into more resilient systems, one step at a timeNatalie's journey from suburban Chicago to the helm of Dakota LakesFeatured Guest Bio: Natalie Sturm didn’t grow up in agriculture—she’s originally from suburban Chicago. Her passion for climate, biodiversity, and human health led her to Montana State University, where she earned a B.S. in Agroecology. She then completed her M.S. at South Dakota State University studying long-term no-till crop rotations at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Natalie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Washington State University on the effects of cropping systems on soil compaction in the Palouse region. In 2026, she will return to Dakota Lakes as its new research farm manager. 📌 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📄 Natalie’s full M.S. thesis: “It’s Not Just No-Till: Crop Rotations Are Key to Improving Soil Quality and Grain Yields at Dakota Lakes Research Farm” 👉Read or download here🎥 Natalie’s video on crop rotations 👉Watch here on Dakota Lakes site🎥 Dakota Lakes 2020 Virtual Field Day Playlist (20 videos) 👉 View full playlist here📝 Related Blog Post: Beyond No-Till: Why Crop Rotations Matter More Than You Think 👉Read the blog postAdditional Resources: ✨ BONUS ARTICLE: What Are We Really Arguing About When We Talk About Tillage: growingresiliencesd.com/post/what-we-re-really-arguing-about-when-we-talk-about-tillage

    Rethinking No-Till: Why Rotations, Residue, and Diversity Matter More Than We Thought

  7. 09/18/2025

    A Path for Grassland Restoration that Benefits Producers, Land and Wildlife

    Featuring: Liz Kierl, Executive Director, Second Century Habitat FundBuz Kloot, Soil Health Lab, University of South CarolinaJoe Dickie, Videographer and Conservation Storyteller, Soil Health Lab📝 Episode Summary In this episode, we sit down with Liz Kierl, Executive Director of the Second Century Habitat Fund (SCHF), to talk about one of South Dakota’s most effective and underappreciated conservation tools: the Working Lands Habitat Program. Liz unpacks how this unique initiative blends private lands stewardship, strategic habitat restoration, and flexible grazing options—all while keeping landowners in the driver’s seat. With videographer and conservation storyteller Joe Dickie sharing observations from years of working alongside ranchers, and Buz guiding the conversation, we explore how pheasants, pollinators, and producers all benefit when marginal cropland is converted back to native grasses and forbs. Liz also shares how SCHF’s funding model—including the famous Can-Am raffles—is helping build a lasting conservation legacy. Whether you're a landowner curious about signing up, or someone who just loves South Dakota’s prairies, this is a conversation about habitat that works with producers, not against them.   🔑 Key Topics The mission of the Second Century Habitat FundWhy marginal cropland is key to grassland restorationWhat makes the Working Lands Habitat Program different (hint: haying, grazing, and seed incentives)How Can-Am raffles and habitat decals help fund conservationLiz’s personal connection to hunting, habitat, and heritageThe South Dakota habitat funding model: voluntary, local, effective🧑‍🌾 Guest Bio: Liz Kierl Liz Kierl is Executive Director of the Second Century Habitat Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring South Dakota’s grasslands and sustaining wildlife through voluntary private lands partnerships. Originally from Nebraska, Liz grew up in a family of pheasant hunters and conservationists. She brings deep experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and landowner outreach. Since taking the helm at SCHF, Liz has expanded fundraising programs (like the Can-Am UTV raffles), built partnerships with agencies and NGOs, and helped landowners tap into the powerful incentives of the Working Lands Habitat Program—an effort that aims to restore grassland on over 100,000 acres. Additional Resources: ✨BONUS ARTICLE: What Are We Really Arguing About When We Talk About Tillage: growingresiliencesd.com/post/what-we-re-really-arguing-about-when-we-talk-about-tillage

    A Path for Grassland Restoration that Benefits Producers, Land and Wildlife

  8. 08/27/2025

    The Future of Agriculture: The Next Generation’s Roadmap for Regenerative Ranching

    In this episode, Joe Dickie and Buz Kloot sit down with Karlie Kammerer, a rising senior from western South Dakota whose wisdom and clarity around regenerative ranching belies her age. Karlie grew up on a cow-calf operation near Rapid City where her family, including parents Riley and Jimmie and sisters Katelyn and Kimball, is embracing holistic management and regenerative agriculture with open arms—and open minds. Though still in high school, Karlie has already presented at national rangeland competitions, been a featured voice in Amazing Grasslands, and dreams of running a consulting business with her dad (where he’ll work for her, of course). In this episode, Karlie shares what she’s learning on the land and in the classroom—lessons about livestock, soil health, and the importance of context, context, context. But she doesn’t stop there. We talk about how her dad’s paradigm shift reshaped their entire operation—allowing both her parents to come home full-time to the ranch—and how the mental and spiritual health of the family improved alongside the land. Karlie reflects on the influence of mentors like Mitch Faulkner and the power of intergenerational learning. She shares her thoughts on what the ag industry needs to do to keep young people not just interested—but inspired. You’ll hear Karlie speak with grace, humor, and a refreshing blend of scientific precision and deep, soulful connection to land. As she says: “We look at things on a microscopic level and at a huge level—and I think with all of us, it's like, how could there not be a Creator?” Whether you're a seasoned rancher, new to regenerative ag, or simply curious what the future looks like, this conversation will leave you hopeful—and maybe even a little humbled. Highlights: Karlie’s family’s transition from conventional to regenerative ranchingThe spiritual and emotional transformation of the land and peopleWhy livestock integration and context are critical for soil healthHow Karlie overcame public speaking fears to win a national rangeland competitionThe enduring influence of mentors like Mitch FaulknerA vision for the future of agriculture—and the role of young people in shaping itQuote of the Episode: “We all kind of have that further appreciation and understanding for something that isn't quite of this world... You feel something different when you're around animals and surrounded by pasture. I couldn’t explain it—but you feel at peace.” — Karlie Kammerer 🎧 Listen now and meet a young woman whose voice is already shaping the range. Karlie’s Advice for Aspiring Ranchers If you're a young person interested in rangeland management or regenerative ranching, here are a few things that helped me on my journey: SD Grassland Coalition: The SDGC provided me with numerous learning opportunities that not only helped light my spark for range but also educated me about a lot of what I know about the topic.Society for Range Management High School Youth Forum (SRM HSYF): The speaking competition that I won was put on by the SRM HSYF. This link directs you to the 2023 winners (note that they haven't updated it for 2024 and 2025), where you can read their essays and find the necessary information for the competition itself.SD Rangeland and Soil Days: This is the competition in which I won the state delegate position for SRM HSYF. You need to win something in your state (whether that's a Rangeland Days, FFA competition, speaking, or essay competition... it depends on the state) to go on and compete at the national level.Reach out to NRCS and local ranchers who are practicing regenerative or holistic management and ask if you can tag along and learn.Find learning and speaking opportunities near you. The more you learn, the better!Additional Resources: Our Amazing Grasslands - Young and Upcoming Generations Feature: youtube.com/watch?v=S_VlBwG9aks&ab_channel=USDANRCSSouthDakota ✨ BONUS ARTICLE: What Are We Really Arguing About When We Talk About Tillage: growingresiliencesd.com/post/what-we-re-really-arguing-about-when-we-talk-about-tillage

    The Future of Agriculture: The Next Generation’s Roadmap for Regenerative Ranching
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Soil Health Labs are located in the Environmental Health Sciences Department in the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. That may be surprising to most, especially since the University of South Carolina has no Ag School! Our mission is to promote soil health, not only as something that’s good for the farmer and the environment, but we also want to highlight soil health as a public health tool. Think about it. Healthy soils and healthy crops, mean healthy farmers and consumers, never mind an ever-improving environment. One idea we are embracing is that of Regenerative Farming where we embrace the idea that if farmers change the way they manage the soils, they can actually improve, or regenerate environmental conditions through less disturbance, keeping soils covered with residue or canopies, keeping live roots I the soil year round and be reintroducing animals into the whole system. While we cut our teeth promoting soil health through video and social media (Soil Stories; Under Cover farmers: Science of Soil Health; Merit or Myth; Growing Resilience) we do have several research and outreach projects that we are doing with farmers in South Carolina.

Information

  • Creator
    Soil Health Labs
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    94
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Soil Health Labs

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