As a soil health specialist with the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), Dan Coffman can share with farmers the personal benefits he’s experienced using cover crops on his own 200-acre farm in Nicollet, Minn.
“With a proven background in soil health, Dan possesses the technical knowledge required to assess and promote soil health,” says Ryan Heiniger, CTIC Executive Director. “However, what sets him apart is his first-hand experience implementing soil health practices on his own farm. This unique perspective allows him to connect with fellow farmers and provide practical guidance and support in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.”
Coffman serves as CTIC’s soil health specialist in Minnesota. In his role, Coffman actively promotes the program and assists farmers in the enrollment process. This program encourages the adoption of cover crops by offering incentives for their use. Since partnering with Farmers for Soil Health, CTIC has engaged with producers by holding webinars and exhibiting at various events, including the 2024 MN Ag Expo. CTIC has also earned the support of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).
“MN Ag Expo was an awesome experience,” Coffman says. “We had constant booth traffic and conversations about cover crops and how they’re working on their farm, or just curiosity about what are cover crops or how they could fit in their rotation.”
In the past year alone, CTIC has enrolled over 15,000 acres across Minnesota in FSH. CTIC also supports soil health specialists in South Dakota and Wisconsin with a goal to enroll 500 farms and more than 80,000 acres into FSH by 2026. With support from General Mills, CTIC added cover crop coaches, farmers with years of cover crop experience, who provide mentoring to farmers and technical assistance to soil health specialists.
“The program has been very well received and I think it just goes to show how much of a farmer-friendly program it is,” Coffman says. “It’s made for farmers to be farmer friendly.”
Cover crop benefits
One of the farmers who jumped at the chance to enroll was Appleton, Minn., farmer Ed Hegland. The former president of MSGA learned about CTIC and FSH through a webinar in early 2024. He then reached out to Coffman, who guided him through the enrollment channels.
“It was a very simple process. Dan came right to my kitchen table,” Hegland says. “I just love programs that are incentive-based. A lot of people don’t fully understand the benefits of cover crops.”
By planting cover crops, Hegland protects his topsoil by improving water filtration. He’s also nearly eliminated wind erosion and saved on fuel and labor costs while maintaining yields. In addition, cover crops produce biomass that provides organic matter, supports carbon cycling and improves weed control.
“Ed is a great advocate for agriculture and soil health and cover crops,” Coffman says. “He not only talks the talk, but he’s walking the walk and continues to do that.”
Through CTIC and Farmers for Soil Health, Hegland is set to earn additional financial incentives through his conservation practices, including $50 per new acre of cover crops spread across three years. In the first year, the farmer receives $25 per acre, then $15 per acre the second year and $10 per acre in the third and final year.
“Having something living that’s holding that soil in place and preventing topsoil from leaving the field – that’s a huge piece,” Hegland says. “My big thing is, I’m a conservationist and we need programs like (CTIC and Farmers for Soil Health) that are going to incentivize farmers to want to do this.”
The Soy Checkoff, Pork Checkoff and National Corn Growers Association lead Farmers for Soil Health, which advances the use of soil health practices like cover crops to help improve farmer profitability.
“It’s great that these groups are investing checkoff resources into programs like these,” Coffman says. Farmers for Soil Health has set a bold goal toward improving soil health by encouraging farmers to expand their cover crop adoption in efforts to reach 30 million U.S. acres by 2030.
Enrollment for 2024 is now open, and farmers can learn more by visiting farmersforsoilhealth.com. For more information, contact Minnesota Soil Health Specialist Dan Coffman by calling 507-508-6556 or emailing Coffman@ctic.org.
“We want to leave the soil better than we found it,” Coffman says. “The longer you do these practices, the better your soil will get.”
Farmers for Soil Health Program Details
• Enrollment is now open at farmersforsoilhealth.com
• Farmers can self-enroll but are encouraged to seek out a soil health specialist
• Program is a three-year commitment
• Crop fields with corn and soybean in the rotation are eligible for transition
incentives totaling $50 per new acre of cover crops across three years
• Signing incentives of $2 per acre are available for existing cover crops on corn
and soybean fields
• The program requires participation in management, reporting and verification to
demonstrate progress toward the program’s goal