In exchange for completing a short online survey about their soil management practices, farmers and ranchers can get a soil sample analyzed free of charge – as well as a gift card.
The survey is part of a nationwide research project looking at the effect of real-world farming practices on soil health and agricultural resilience.
“This project is part of the Ag Resilience Coordinated Agricultural Project (RCAP), a multi-state collaboration of researchers, educators, and farmers working to identify farming practices that improve the resilience of agricultural systems across the United States,” RCAP organizers said.
“The initiative focuses on diverse systems, including row crops, forages, livestock, fruits, vegetables and more, to evaluate how management decisions influence both soil health and farm performance.”
In the survey, “participating farmers contribute real-world data on their practices, soils, and decision-making, allowing researchers to better understand how agricultural systems respond to challenges such as extreme weather and market fluctuations.”
RCAP’s research highlights the potential of more diverse systems, particularly those incorporating perennial crops, forages, and livestock, to improve soil health and increase resilience.
By taking part in this study, producers can help expand RCAP’s dataset, improving its evaluation of soil management practices and translating those findings into practical recommendations.
“Farmers who choose to participate will complete a questionnaire about their recent management practices, yields, and inputs, and collect a soil sample using a provided kit with prepaid shipping. All information will remain confidential, and results will be reported in aggregate to protect individual operations.”
“In addition to receiving a free soil health analysis, participants will receive a gift card compensation and contribute to a growing national network of farmers helping shape future research, outreach, and decision-support tools aimed at improving farm profitability, environmental quality, and long-term agricultural sustainability.”
The survey is limited to the first 100 participants, and is available through the end of May.
