69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

3. Definition of Ecological Farming
•Maximization of soil nutrients
•Minimization of environmental degradation
•Maximizing farm profit potential

4. Six Principles of Ecological Farming
1. Feed the biology with diversity of cover crops
2. Minimize toxicity that kills biology
3. Introduce viable biologicals
4. No‐till…. better yet Never‐till
5. Soil amendments
6. Maintain the system

5. Feed the biology with diversity of cover crops

6. Minimize toxicity that kills biology

8. No‐till… better yet Never‐till

9. Soil amendments

10. Maintain the system

13. C
Soil carbon is the
“Keystone” for all soil
physical, chemical and
biological processes
and properties.
N P
K Ca
Mg S
Zn Mn
Cl Bo
Management platform
Carbon is a “keystone” in nutrient cycling!
Dr. D.C. Reicosky, ARS, Morris, MN.