The Soil Health Nexus team is dedicated to increasing regional access to soil health research, knowledge, extension, and resources. This webpage serves as a hub for research-based soil health resources throughout the region.
Check back often, as we continue to build out our resources!
All Resources
Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool
Welcome to the Soil Health Matrix Decision Tool. This tool was designed by the Soil Health Nexus with assistance from extension colleagues from the across the region and with financial support from North Central SARE.
Drought Preparedness and Adaptation
While many of us have been drought-free this spring and early summer, the summer heat and dry conditions have led to the return of drought, particularly across portions of the Ohio River Basin. Parts of Ohio are now seeing the worst drought since 1988, and parts of the Great Plains are in multi-year droughts. This […]
Biological Approaches to Nutrient Management
In this edition of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Café, we hear from Brian Dougherty with Understanding Ag, who discusses biological approaches to nutrient management and improving water quality. Learn about harnessing the power of soil biology to grow abundant, healthy crops while reducing reliance on purchased inputs and improving environmental outcomes in agriculture. This webinar […]
Grazing’s Impact on Soil Health in Integrated Crop and Livestock Systems
In this edition of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Café, we hear from Alyssa Hall, Ph.D. student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as she shares her results studying the impact of integrating grazing livestock into cropping systems on soil health. This webinar was originally broadcast on December 18, 2024.
Overview of the ISU Economics of Cover Crops Tool
In this edition of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Café, we hear from Ann Johanns on the Iowa State University Economics of Cover Crops Decision Tool. The webinar provides an overview of the decision tool inputs and outputs – including projected and actual costs and benefits resulting from cover crops. This webinar was originally broadcast on […]
Kansas Healthy Watershed Program
In this edition of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Café, we hear from Scott Satterthwaite with the Kansas Department of Health and the Environment, Candy Thomas with NRCS, and Brian Rast with the US Army Corps of Engineers about the Kansas Healthy Watershed Project. They discuss this innovative state-federal partnership that is helping bridge the […]
Is Urban Gardening Hazardous to Your Health?
This edition of the Soil Health Nexus Digital Café features Dr. Anna Paltseva, who explores the hidden risks of soil contamination in urban environments, focusing on heavy metal pollution, its sources, and its impact on human health and urban agriculture. She discusses practical remediation strategies, innovative soil testing methods, and community-driven approaches to improving urban […]
Leveraging Geoinformatics to Enhance Soil and Agroecosystem Sustainability
This digital cafe features Siddhartho Shekhar Paul, Assistant Professor of Geospatial Science at Purdue University. Dr. Paul shares his research into enhancing soil and agroecosystem sustainability using geoinformatics. This webinar was originally broadcast on April 16, 2025.
Soil Health Results from the Arkansas Discovery Farm Program
This Digital Cafe featured Eric Simon and Mike Daniels with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and Arkansas Discover Farms. Eric and Mike discussed their recent research on the impacts of poultry litter application on soil health, among other findings. This webinar was originally broadcast on May 21st, 2025.
What Does Research Really Say About Strategic Tillage in Long-term No-till Systems?
This Soil Health Digital Cafe featured Dr. Humberto Blanco, Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics at the University of Nebraska, who discussed the findings from field research on strategic tillage in long-term no-till systems. No-till is an unparalleled farming system for conserving soil and water while reducing production costs. Still, challenges such as […]