New Tool Estimates Potential Long-Term Costs & Benefits of Adopting Soil Health Practices

Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.

SILVER SPRINGS, Md. (RFD-TV) — Farmers continue to seek ways to improve soil health while maintaining profitability, and new tools are emerging to help guide those decisions. American Farmland Trust has released an online tool designed to estimate the long-term costs and benefits of adopting soil health practices.

Michelle Perez with the American Farmland Trust joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss their new tool and the impact of soil health management strategies.

In her interview with RFD-TV News, Perez explained the basics of soil health, distinguishing between poor and good soil conditions. She highlighted how practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, and nutrient management can improve soil structure, water retention, and overall productivity.

Perez also discussed the economic benefits of adopting these practices, noting that improvements in soil health can increase crop yields and reduce input costs, delivering both environmental and financial returns for farmers. Finally, she introduced the new predictive soil health economic calculator, explaining how it works, which crops it applies to, and how farmers can use it to make informed decisions about implementing soil health practices on their operations.

To learn more, visit: www.farmlandinfo.org

Related Stories
FarmHER Kait Thornton joined us on Thursday on the Market Day Report to talk about the podcast episode, her family orchard’s 100th anniversary + more!
Tennessee FarmHER Bridget Bryant’s porch garden evolves into a sprawling community outreach project that provides fresh produce to those in need and teaches urban kids how to grow their own food.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joins us to discuss the signs and symptoms of cataracts, as well as the available treatment options.
In honor of Rural Road Safety Week, we’re highlighting some commonly overlooked hazards on rural roads, where 40 percent of all fatal crashes in the United States occur.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Gary Hall, co-founder of Hollywood Impact Studios Rehabilitation, joined the program to discuss using agriculture to provide opportunities and mentorship for at-risk youth in Southern California.
The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.
Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses industry reactions to the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, the Surface Transportation Board’s review process, and current conditions on the Mississippi River.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.