The Soil Health Partnership (SHP), is a soil health program aimed at determining the economic, yield and environmental benefits of farm practices such as cover crops, nutrient management and reduced tillage. The initiative has enrolled 111 farms across 12 states.
SHP is evaluating conservation practices on farms using plots from 20 acres to 80 acres in size. Together the plots cover just over 4,000 acres. Most farms are corn and soybean operations although several also have wheat in rotation, grow seed crops or have livestock or dairy.
The non-government program aims to provide long-term, farm-specific data insights including soil lab reports, midseason aerial imagery and profitability and ROI analysis. The program receives financial support from Monsanto, NCGA, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Walton Family Foundation, General Mills and the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative.
