From Field Crops to Organic Cherries: Farming for Soil Health and Diversity

Levi Lyle and his family farm near Keota, Iowa. They grow both organic and conventional corn and soybeans, as well as aronia berries, tart cherries and other fruits. Levi has worked as an organic inspector and now consults on the topic of organic transition. In his community, he has been a local conservation leader. To protect his soil and sequester carbon, Levi no-tills, uses cover crops and roller-crimps the covers. At this field day, you’ll have a chance to see a roller-crimped rye field planted with conventional soybeans. Next to the field is the certified organic tart cherry orchard where Levi will discuss his use of Johnson-Su extract. Levi will also show some of the tools he uses for organic weed control and discuss building his soil organically.