Through this joint effort of the Precision Conservation Management program and the Soil Health Partnership, soil health specialists guide producers through intensive management changes that come with switching from a conventional to a healthy soil focused conservation cropping system (cover crops, reduced tillage, and improved nutrient management). The specialists develop a 5-year transition plan and provide continuing one-on-one technical advice—from cover crop selection to planting and termination. The specialists help farmers with production management decisions that support the adoption of a more sustainable system, including enrolling in the Soil Health Partnership Associate Program to track soil quality changes through the transition period.
Farmers begin the program in year one with cover crops on a 40-acre field, with a goal of sustained system change at the whole farm level by the end of year five. A localized, peer-to-peer network of program participants and interested neighbors sharing results and experiences serves as the amplifying mechanism to influence changes at a broader scale (ilsustainableag.org/programs/five-year-farmer-transition-program/)
