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Soil HePromoting Soil Health: Key Takeaways from the Suwannee Valley Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Dayalth Program

Sustainable Agriculture

Jay Capasso
Extension Agent 1
UF/IFAS Extension
Lake City

Abstract

The 2025 Suwannee Valley Soil Health and Cover Crop Field Day, held in February at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley, brought together 109 attendees, including farmers, researchers, Extension specialists, and government agency representatives, to learn about soil health and cover crop practices. Organized by UF/IFAS Extension in collaboration with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and industry partners, the event emphasized key soil health principles such as reduced tillage, continuous living roots, biodiversity, and soil cover. The program featured a trolley tour with field demonstrations, including a soil pit presentation, discussions on cover crop benefits by UF/IFAS researchers, results from on-farm cover crop trials, and early findings from a USDA-funded regenerative agriculture study. Attendees engaged in hands-on learning about soil health indicators such as organic matter and pH, as well as weed management strategies for both organic and conventional systems. The NRCS rainfall simulator demonstrated the effects of tillage and cover crops on water retention and soil erosion. Evaluation responses (n=28) indicated that 64% of participants were relatively new to soil health practices, representing a diverse range of commodities, including vegetables, row crops, livestock, and timber. Additionally, 33% had attended a previous UF/IFAS soil health or cover crop educational program. About 74% of respondents reported knowledge gains from the presentations and hands-on demonstrations. The workshop provided an excellent opportunity for UF/IFAS specialists, Extension agents, NRCS personnel, industry representatives, and farmers to come together and learn from one another on how to better manage soils and cover crops to support sustainable agricultural production.

Authors: Jay Capasso, Shivendra Kumar, Danielle Treadwell, Jehangir Bhadha, Gabriel Maltais-Landry, Raymond Balaguer, Erin Dasher, Paulette Tomlinson, Mark Kolpecky, Victor Guerra, Joel Love, Kevin Korus, Tanjilla Jesmin, Alia Ortiz Bayron, Peter Dittmar
  1. Jay Capasso Regional Specialized Agent - Water Resources, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
  2. Shivendra Kumar Regional Specialized Agent - Agronomic Crops, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
  3. Danielle Treadwell Associate Professor, University of Florida, Florida, 32611
  4. Jehangir Bhadha Associate Professor, UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center, Florida, 33430
  5. Gabriel Maltais-Landry Associate Professor, University of Florida, Florida, 32611
  6. Raymond Balaguer Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County, Florida, 32060
  7. Erin Dasher Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County, Florida, 32060
  8. Paulette Tomlinson Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County, Florida, 32060
  9. Mark Kolpecky Soil Health Specialist, USDA NRCS, Florida, 34945
  10. Victor Guerra Program Specialist, USDA NRCS, Florida, 34601
  11. Joel Love BMP Education Coordinator, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center - Suwannee Valley, Florida, 32060
  12. Kevin Korus Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Florida, 32618
  13. Tanjilla Jesmin Postdoctoral Researcher, UF/IFAS Everglades Reseach and Education Center , Florida, 33430
  14. Alia Ortiz Bayron Natural Resource Specialist, USDA NRCS, Florida, 32611
  15. Peter Dittmar Associate Professor, University of Florida, Florida, 32611