Wisconsin Farmers Lead in Soil and Water Conservation

By Blake Jackson

The 2025 Wisconsin Water and Soil Health Conference, held December 16-17 in Wisconsin Dells, highlighted the critical role farmers play in advancing conservation while maintaining farm profitability.

Hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, the event emphasized the value of farmer-led experimentation combined with on-farm research to improve soil health, water quality, and economic outcomes across the state.

Keynote farmers Ken Keyhart of Kayhart Farms and David Trimner of Miltrim Farms stressed that conservation practices must align with both environmental and financial goals. “Farming must remain profitable while meeting environmental goals,” they said, reflecting the balance Wisconsin farmers strive to achieve.

Dr. Matt Helmers, Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, noted that there is no single solution for conservation. “We need a little bit of everything,” he said, adding that adoption rates must increase and farmers should, “always be growing,” while keeping soil covered as many months of the year as possible.

Weather and climate also influence farm decision-making. Steve Vavrus, Wisconsin State Climatologist, shared that warmer, wetter conditions are becoming more common, offering a longer growing season but also increasing the risk of excessive rainfall and drought.

Dr. Anna Cates, State Soil Health Specialist at the University of Minnesota, outlined three essentials for sustainable conservation: evidence of what works, practical guidance for implementation, and capacity support, including access to markets, cost-share programs, and logistical resources.

Farmer experiences reinforced these points. Marty Weiss of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, shared, “What could be working for me on my farm might be a disaster for you.” Nick Dallmann of Brillion, Wisconsin, emphasized, “It is important to put data to what we are seeing with our eyes.”

Throughout the conference, breakout sessions and roundtables covered manure application, cover crops, and water quality practices, fostering peer-to-peer learning.

By combining real-world experience with research, the conference demonstrated how evidence-based conservation can be both economically viable and environmentally impactful when farmers are central to the discussion.

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