Measuring Outcomes of Holistic SHM

This trial will explore a variety and combination of conservation practices on farm operations within various growing regions to build model soil health management systems and consider regional appropriate practices such as cover crop varietals, improved conservation tillage, crop rotations and diversification, improved nutrient management, vegetation buffers, and water metering and improved irrigation efficiency. Trials will take place across at least 8 states and will work across production cropland managed for a variety of crops
intended towards dairy cow feed.
Direct corporate engagement with farms in supply-chains offers a unique opportunity to involve more
farms and deliver more conservation on-the-ground. NFWF seeks to work with this dairy supply-chain of
Danone to build models of engagement and soil health management. NFWF hopes to work with Danone
and its farming partners to better understand the impact of combinations of conservation practices within
farm management systems on overall soil health. This project also will help to further build and learn
from the data system already in development by Danone and its partner, EcoPractices. By tracking field level
data from year-to-year, NFWF, Danone and its farming partners hope to learn more about the economic and environmental impact of soil health systems. Within at least 3 years, NFWF expects to have data proof-points that can be used as models for farms in the growing regions where these trials take place and encourage other farms and corporate supply-chains to consider future investments.