No-Till Farmer

Educating Landowners About Benefits of Cover Crops, No-Till

Last week Conservation A Foundation director and No‑Till Innovator alumnus Mike Starky hosted a second‑annual gathering on his Brownsburg, Indiana farm, inviting landowners statewide to learn about no‑till and cover‑crop practices. The event was designed exclusively for landowners, though a few tenant farmers attended, to demonstrate how conservation techniques can protect soil, water, and long‑term farm productivity. Starky highlighted the strategic value of aligning landlord and tenant interests. With two‑thirds of his acreage rented, he used the forum to showcase tangible benefits—improved soil health, reduced erosion, and potential cost savings—while introducing a session on research‑and‑development tax credits as an unconventional financial lever. He also stressed that providing incentives to tenants encourages broader adoption of sustainable methods. Personal outreach proved pivotal. Starky partnered with the local Soil‑Water Conservation District, made direct phone calls and texts, and mailed flyers, which attracted a well‑attended crowd, many of whom were elderly owners concerned about preserving their land for future generations. Their legacy mindset reinforced the event’s message that stewardship and profitability can coexist. The gathering illustrates a replicable model for bridging the landlord‑tenant divide, leveraging education, financial incentives, and community networks to accelerate conservation adoption. As more owners recognize both environmental and fiscal upside, the ripple effect could expand no‑till and cover‑crop practices across the Midwest, enhancing regional resilience and market competitiveness.