NDSU Hosts Soil Health Workshop with Hands-on Learning

By Scout Nelson

A dynamic Soil Health Workshop will give farmers, landowners, and agriculture professionals an in-depth look at the science and practice of soil management. Hosted in Dickinson and Manning, North Dakota, the free event focuses on the essential role soil plays in sustainable agriculture and food production.

The morning session, Foundations of Soil Health, will be held at the Biesiot Activities Center, 398 State Avenue, Dickinson. Douglas Landblom, Beef Cattle and Integrated Systems Specialist at the Dickinson Research Extension Center, will open the workshop.

Naeem Kalwar, Extension Soil Health Specialist from the Langdon Research Extension Center, will explain key properties used to assess soil health. Carlos Pires, Assistant Professor of Extension Soil Health at North Dakota State University (NDSU), will connect soil health to the carbon cycle.

Shaundra Ziemann-Bolinske, Extension Food Systems Program Coordinator at NDSU, will discuss how soil affects food production in her talk, “You are what you eat. How does soil health affect food production?” Jay Fuhrer, Soil Health Specialist with NRCS, will close the morning with a presentation on soil regeneration and restoring land vitality.

After a lunch break and networking time, the afternoon Field Demonstrations and Applied Science session moves outdoors to DREC Section 19 near Manning. Directions from Highway 22: turn west onto 15th Street SW and travel 5.2 miles to the field site.

Krista Bryan, Soil Survey Leader with NRCS, will lead a soil pit demonstration to show how soil layers influence land management. Larry Cihacek, Professor in NDSU’s Department of Soil Science, will explain how legumes benefit soil fertility, structure, and long-term sustainability.

Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units (CEUs) will be available. Attendance is free, but an RSVP is requested for meal planning. Contact Sheryl Schneider at 701-456-1120 or sheryl.schneider@ndsu.edu.

Participants needing disability accommodations should contact Douglas Landblom at 701-456-1109 or douglas.landblom@ndsu.edu at least two weeks in advance. This workshop provides valuable knowledge, hands-on experience, and expert guidance to support healthier soils and stronger agricultural systems.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock