By Scout Nelson
Agricultural professionals from across the United States gathered in North Dakota for a hands-on training program focused on cover crops and soil health.
The event, organized through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Health Division, provided participants with practical experience and field-based learning opportunities. Held from September 1 through September 3, 2026, the training explored how cover crops can improve soil quality, strengthen conservation efforts, and support long-term agricultural sustainability.
Susan Samson-Liebig, State Soil Quality Specialist, NRCS North Dakota, helped highlight the importance of understanding soil health through practical demonstrations and field experiences. The training brought together NRCS employees from multiple states to examine real-world examples of cover crop management, soil recovery, and conservation planning.
Participants visited several locations in central North Dakota to observe different approaches to soil health improvement and learn how these practices can be applied in agricultural systems nationwide.
The training combined classroom discussions with outdoor field activities. Participants studied cover crop systems, soil biology, and conservation principles while exploring landscapes at different stages of soil health recovery. The educational format allowed attendees to connect scientific concepts with practical farming applications.
One of the tour locations was the USDA Agricultural Research Service Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan. Here, participants reviewed long-term studies examining how cover crops and management practices influence soil productivity. Researchers demonstrated the role of diverse plant species in improving soil function and supporting agricultural resilience.
During the visit, Dr. Mark Liebig, a Research Soil Scientist, discussed the development of the widely used Cover Crop Chart and guided attendees through research plots featuring different soil management treatments. Participants observed how various farming practices affect soil structure, crop growth, and biological activity over time.
Another presentation was led by Dr. Andrea Clemensen, a Research Biologist with USDA-ARS. She discussed plant secondary metabolites and ongoing studies examining links between soil health and human health. These discussions provided participants with a broader understanding of how soil management practices may influence agricultural systems beyond crop production alone.
A unique feature of the training involved a new root-development demonstration. Researchers grew 16 different cover crop species in transparent growing systems using plastic tubes placed inside PVC pipes. The plants were grown for six weeks in a greenhouse environment, allowing participants to clearly observe root development and growth patterns.
The project, designed and tested by Brent Gustafson and Susan Samson-Liebig, offered a visual comparison of root architecture among different species. Participants examined deep-rooted plants, fibrous-rooted grasses, and broadleaf crops side by side. The demonstration helped illustrate how root systems influence soil structure, water use, nutrient cycling, and biological activity.
The greenhouse display also emphasized why proper species selection is important when developing cover crop mixtures. Different plant species provide different benefits depending on management goals, including grazing opportunities, soil aggregation, moisture management, and nutrient availability.
Participants also toured the Bismarck Plant Materials Center, where instructors showcased a variety of cover crop plots. One demonstration featured a 12-species cover crop mix containing radishes, sunflowers, rye residue, sorghum, flax, and several broadleaf species. The diverse planting demonstrated how multiple plant species can work together to improve soil function and support beneficial insects such as pollinators.
Field demonstrations allowed attendees to compare heavily tilled soils with areas undergoing recovery and fully restored no-till systems. Soil samples highlighted significant differences in structure, biological activity, and overall soil condition. These comparisons helped demonstrate the long-term benefits of conservation-focused management practices.
The training also included a visit to Menoken Farm, a 150-acre teaching and demonstration site established in 2009. The farm serves as a model for regenerative agricultural practices that rely on biological processes rather than heavy use of commercial fertilizers or insecticides.
During the tour, Darrell Oswald, District Manager for the Burleigh County Soil Conservation District, introduced participants to several conservation features, including rain gardens, arboretums, and high tunnels. These projects demonstrate practical ways farmers and landowners can improve environmental stewardship while maintaining productive landscapes.
Jay Fuhrer, Conservationist at Menoken Farm, led hands-on demonstrations focused on soil-building principles. He explained how "energy hitting the green plant moves into the soil" and discussed the important role carbon plays in supporting healthy soil systems. Participants learned how crop selection, living roots, and biological activity contribute to long-term soil improvement.
Attendees also examined a 15-way cover crop mix seeded to support winter grazing and maintain living roots throughout the growing season. Earlier cool-season crops had already been grazed, demonstrating how planned grazing strategies can complement soil health goals while maximizing forage production.
The training attracted participants from 11 states, reflecting a growing national interest in soil health and conservation planning. Through field demonstrations, research presentations, and practical discussions, attendees gained valuable knowledge that can be shared with producers and conservation partners across the country.
Photo Credit: usda-nrcs
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Sustainable Agriculture