Delaware farmers encouraged to join #TeamNoTill this fall

The Delaware Conservation Partnership is encouraging farmers to join #teamnotill this fall – by leaving the residue on harvested crop fields to improve soil health during No-Till November.

The partnership developed the #teamnotill campaign to recognize farmers who are practicing no-till and to invite the rest to keep tillage equipment at bay this fall and keep the crop stubble on their fields.

“According to Aldo Leopold, ‘Land is not merely soil, it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants and animals,’” said Kasey Taylor, state conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “Through the use of the foundational conservation practice of no-till farming, Delaware farmers will improve soil health and enhance water quality all while saving time and money.”

Improving soil health increases soil biological activity, which provides nutrient benefits, reduces soil compaction, controls soil erosion and improves water quality.

This month, Delaware farmers are invited to share their beneficial experience with no-till by emailing a short sentence about why they practice no-till and a photo of themselves or their operation to Dastina Wallace, NRCS public affairs specialist, at dastina.wallace@usda.gov. Photos can also be shared on social media with the hashtag #teamnotill. Farmers interested in joining #teamnotill can also send an email requesting no-till resources, and the conservation partnership will send out soil health materials.

“One key soil health principle is do-not-disturb. This campaign is a fun way to remind and engage farmers about the important relationship between tillage and soil health,” said Jen Nelson, Delaware Association of Conservation Districts executive director.

All participating Delaware farmers will receive a free #teamnotill gaiter from their local conservation district while supplies last.

The Delaware Conservation Partnership is a collaboration among the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts; Sussex, Kent and New Castle conservation districts; and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For more information about soil health and the No-Till November campaign, go to dacdnet.org or contact the USDA Service Center in Sussex County at 302-856-3990, Ext. 3.