New York Soil Health Champions
Benchmarking Excellence: NY Soil Health Champions
The New York Soil Health Champions Program—a recognition initiative celebrating farms across New York State for their exemplary commitment to soil health.
Our Champions
New York Soil Health proudly recognizes farms committed to soil health monitoring and continuous improvement in farming methods. Explore their latest achievements!
Norwich Meadows Farm
Backbone Farm
Backbone Farm builds soil health and carbon levels through their commitment to intensive rotational grazing of their beef herd, developing silvopasture areas, and bale grazing.
Oechsner Farms
Oechsner Farms builds soil health and carbon levels through their commitment to diverse crop rotations that include perennial red clover sods, cover crops, and reducing tillage where possible.
Recognition Criteria
To be recognized as a NY Soil Health Champion, farms must demonstrate a dedication to improving soil health through practices such as:
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- Cover Crops: Implementation of cover crops to preserve soil structure and prevent erosion
- Reduced Tillage: Minimization of tillage to maintain soil structure and encourage microbial activity
- Crop Rotation: Diversification of crops to enhance soil fertility and mitigate risks associated with pests and diseases
- Compost Application: Prioritizing the addition of organic matter through compost to enrich the soil with essential nutrients
Benchmarks and Results
The recognition program follows benchmarks established by the Cornell University Soil Health Program, considering physical, biological, and chemical measurements. Farms achieving soil health levels greater than the 75th percentile are recognized, with the 90th percentile representing aspirational goals within specific production environments.
Benchmarks, based on the 75th and 90th percentiles, offer realistic targets for farmers. These benchmarks are accessible through an open-access publication and here.
Inquire about Recognition
Are you interested in becoming a Soil Health Champion
or learning more about the program?
Fill out the contact form and we will be in touch.