About us
A successful soil health management system is one which improves soil health while maintaining profitability.
The FARMS Project supports producers who are building comprehensive soil health management systems on their land in the High Plains of CO, NE, and KS.
Led by Farmers
Long-term soil health practitioners will guide and mentor early starters as they tackle soil health in the High Plains. In addition, most of the project staff are family farmers or ranchers.
Contextual
Soil health is rarely achieved through isolated methods, but rather through a producer’s integration and adaptation of a suite of practices to their local context.
Systems-based
The project will encourage and cultivate systems thinking over isolated practice implementation.
Incentive payments
Comprehensive Soil Health Management Planning as well as acre-based payments for new conservation practices
Local mentorship
Facilitated mentoring relationships with more experienced producers and professional technical assistants.
Comprehensive analysis
Soil health testing, nutrient density testing, economic assessment, and social surveys.
FARMS Project Results and Outcomes
Case studies
Pasture Cropping in Kernza in Central Kansas
Economic and management issues
Diverse Cropping Under Ogallala Irrigation
Having an irrigated circle doesn't mean I should farm like I'm in Illinois.
Practice guides from FARMS producers' experiences
Interseeding / Companion Cropping
Management and seed options, and results so far.
Grazing on Cropground
Infrastructure, management, and advice
Compost
Options and ideas for large-acreage operations
Social dynamics
1 Page Summary
Interviews and Social Network Analysis
Full Report, Social Science
Interviews and Social Network Analysis
Key Takeaways (Year 1)
Interviews. Analysis by Helios.
Soil Health
On-Farm Soil Health Practices Affected Potential Soil and Organic Carbon Losses by Wind Erosion (30MB)
Presentation given at the American Society of Agronomy, November 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland
Aggregates and Infiltration
Presentation given at the final FARMS Field Day Aug 2023 in Bladen, NE
Economic
Profitability & Breakevens
From FARMS' 2016-2022 management data
Data
Email us if you'd like to discuss getting access to anonymized, aggregated econ data from FARMS
Nutrient Density
Nutrient Density Report
Grains grown in soil health management systems and grains grown in the prevalent production system of the area were evaluated for mineral content over a three-year period from 2020 - 2022.
General Project Updates
Project Final Report
(Still in process, ETA Feb 2024)
Year 1 Update
Soil health, economics, and social dynamics of soil health innovators
Year 2 Presentation
Given at the Soil and Water Conservation Society meeting.
Denver CO, Aug 2022
In the News:
FARMS Spotlight
Colorado Department of Agriculture newsletter
Soil Health Planning Toolkit
Soil Evaluation Tool (SET)
In-field soil evaluation guide, with additional support for how to use the results to guide management decisions
Comprehensive Soil Health Management Plan (CSHMP)
Document that guides you through the creation of a soil health plan
CSHMP Instructions
Document that guides you through the creation of a soil health plan
