Improving soil health is one of the best ways to increase crop productivity and profitability and help improve the environment. A good measurement of soil health is the level of organic matter in your soils. The 1% challenge was developed in 2017 by Brad Harrison with the Dallas County NRCS. Producers participating in the 1% challenge pledge to increase their organic matter by 1% over 10 years. Using as many of the 5 key soil health principles below is a good start!

• Keep the soil covered as much as possible
• Disturb the soil as little as possible
• Keep plants growing throughout the year to feed the soil
• Incorporate grazing when possible
• Diversify using crop rotations and cover crops