By Scout Nelson
South Dakota State University Extension offers a free webinar series to help farmers learn more about soil health and practical ways to improve soil management.
The series, called Soil Health Hour, will take place on the first Wednesday of each month from October 7, 2026, through March 3, 2027. Each session begins at 10 a.m. CDT, and gives participants an opportunity to learn from SDSU Extension experts.
Soil health is an important part of productive and sustainable farming. Healthy soil can support crop growth, improve water movement, protect soil from erosion, and help farms manage changing weather conditions. Different management practices can affect soil health in different ways, so learning about these practices can help producers make informed choices for their operations.
The Soil Health Hour series covers several topics related to soil management. These include no tillage, cover crops, residue management, livestock integration, and the economics of soil health systems.
No-tillage farming is one of the topics included in the series. This practice limits soil disturbance and can help protect soil structure. Cover crops are another important area of discussion. Farmers can use cover crops as part of their crop systems to provide additional plant cover between production periods.
Residue management is also part of the series. Crop residue left in fields can play an important role in protecting soil and managing moisture. Understanding how to manage residue can help farmers consider how their field practices affect soil health.
The webinar series also looks at livestock integration. Livestock can be included in cropping systems in different ways, and producers can learn about possible approaches and considerations.
For the October session, Parker Witt, SDSU Extension Crop-Livestock Systems Field Specialist, discusses how to integrate livestock into South Dakota cropping systems. His presentation focuses on connecting livestock and crop production as part of farm management.
Participants also learn how to measure soil health. Soil health measurements can help farmers understand the condition of their soil and track changes over time. Learning how to assess soil health gives producers information that can support future management decisions.
Another focus of the series is the economics of soil health systems. Farm management decisions involve both agronomic and financial considerations. Understanding the costs and potential benefits of different practices can help producers evaluate how soil health strategies may fit their operations.
There is no fee to participate in the Soil Health Hour webinar series. However, registration is required to receive the Zoom link and session reminders.
Participants only need to register once. The single registration covers all sessions in the series, making it easier for farmers and other interested participants to attend multiple webinars.
Farmers and others interested in improving soil health can register for the free series and attend the sessions that best fit their needs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Livestock, Sustainable Agriculture