I have always been told, “With every privilege there is an equal and corresponding responsibility.” Working the land is no different. Farming is a privilege, and with it comes the responsibility to take care of what we’ve been given.
That’s why, whatever we do, we want to do it well. It’s tempting to look for one silver bullet practice we can run across every acre, but we all know farming isn’t that simple. Every field has its own challenges and opportunities. Our goal shouldn’t just be to add more acres; it should be to get more out of the acres we already manage.
That means looking for synergies and stacking practices where it makes sense. Perhaps that involves cover-crops on lighter ground, filter-strips along a wet spot, or nutrient management that keeps fertilizer where the crop needs it. It’s not about doing one thing everywhere; it’s about finding the right thing for each place.
And here’s the truth: the way we manage our worst acre matters just as much as our best. A tough corner or a wet low spot might not be your most productive ground, but if it washes or leaches nutrients, it can drag the rest of the farm down. Putting a conservation practice there doesn’t just fix that acre; it protects the rest of your investment, too.
Ultimately, stewardship is about taking responsibility. It’s about making decisions that not only help us raise a good crop this year but also keep our soil and water healthy for the next generation. Conservation doesn’t mean doing less. It means doing more with what we already have—and doing it smarter.
The SWCD is here to help you figure out which practices fit best on your acres. If you’re looking for new ways to optimize your ground and make every acre count, we’d be glad to talk it through.
“Grassroots” – September 2025