DNR News** Archived Article - please check for current information. **
March 15, 2016Two South Carolina farmers named National Soil Health Champions
South Carolina farmers Jason Carter of Richland County and Carl Coleman of Dillon County have been named National Soil Health Champions by the National Association of Conservation Districts.
South Carolina farmers Jason Carter of Richland County (right) and Carl Coleman of Dillon County have been named National Soil Health Champions by the National Association of Conservation Districts..
Champions are farmers, ranchers, woodland managers, and other landowners who are willing to use, demonstrate, and share their enthusiasm for soil health practices within their own communities. Champions conduct conservation outreach in cooperation with their local soil and water conservation district by hosting field days and demonstrations, making speeches at public events, and sharing their stories. The Soil Health Champions Network is coordinated by the National Association of Conservation Districts with funding from a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Innovation Grant.
Jason Carter of Carter Farms in Eastover has been farming for 21 years and is a leader in progressive farming practices. He began using cover crops to improve soil health on his 400-acre farm four years ago, and his crops have since exhibited increased yield, resiliency, and profitability. As a result of the soil improvements caused by cover cropping, Carter has also been able to reduce his use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
"I've seen organic matter increasing about 2 percent per year, and if this continues, I hope to be able to cut my use of commercial fertilizers completely within ten years," Carter said during a Farmer Panel at a recent cover crop meeting in Scranton.
Carl Coleman, a farmer and a soil and water conservation district commissioner in Dillon County who grows wheat, corn, and soybeans, has been using cover crops for five years with tremendous benefits. "We're seeing less weed pressure, less disease pressure, and we’re applying fewer fungicides. Our pH is not fluctuating so we've decreased our lime applications, and we’ve been able to eliminate subsoiling throughout most of the farm," said Coleman. He has also seen earthworms colonize his fields and is excited by the dropping production costs on his farm.
In cooperation with their soil and water conservation districts, Carter and Coleman are advocating for the improvement and preservation of the state’s soil and natural resources through local leadership and outreach. They were recognized for their achievements at the S.C. Association of Conservation Districts Conservation Partnership Conference in February.
More News
- Recent News Releases
- Freshwater Fishing Trends
- Saltwater Fishing Trends
- S.C. weekly tidetable
- DNR video
- Archived News Releases
Follow DNR on the Web:
