Maximize Living Roots
Keeping plants growing for as much of the year as possible fuels biological activity, aids in nutrient cycling, and contributes to improved soil structure.
Alley Cropping
The addition of trees or shrubs that produce crops planted in single or multiple rows with agronomic, horticultural crops or forages grown in the alleys between.
This practice is also used for: Energize with Biodiversity
Conservation Cover
Establishing and maintaining permanent vegetative cover
This practice is also used for: Keep Soil Covered
Contour Orchard and Other Perennial Crops
Planting orchards, vineyards, or other perennial crops so that all cultural operations are done on or near the contour.
This practice is also used for: Minimize Disturbance
Cover Crops
Non-cash crops including grasses, legumes, and forbes grown for seasonal cover and other conservation purposes, such as increasing organic matter, reducing weeds, and managing pest and disease, etc.
This practice is also used for: Energize with Biodiversity, Keep Soil Covered
Critical Area Planting
Establishing permanent vegetation on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates, and on sites that have physical, chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices.
This practice is also used for: Minimize Disturbance
Crop Rotation
Growing crops of different species in a planned sequence on the same field.
This practice is also used for: Energize with Biodiversity, Keep Soil Covered
Pasture and Hay Planting
Establishing adapted and/or compatible species, varieties, or cultivars of herbaceous species suitable for pasture, hay, or biomass production.
This practice is also used for: Minimize Disturbance, Integrate Livestock Where Possible
Multi-Story Cropping
Managing stands of trees or shrubs as an overstory with an understory of woody and/or non-woody plants that are grown for a variety of products.
This practice is also used for: Energize with Biodiversity, Keep Soil Covered
Silvopasture
Establishing trees and/or shrubs with compatible forages on the same acreage.
This practice is also used for: Minimize Disturbance, Energize with Biodiversity, Keep Soil Covered, Integrate Livestock Where Possible
Tree/Shrub Establishment
Establishing woody plants by planting seedlings or cuttings, direct seeding, or natural regeneration.
This practice is also used for: Energize with Biodiversity
HOW do farmers join the Million Acre Challenge?
Filling out a self-assessment survey enrolls farmers in the challenge and gives them access to tools to track their progress toward healthy soils knowledge and management.
Tiers of Regeneration
The Million Acre Challenge welcomes farms of all sizes and production methods to accept the challenge of advancing their land on the spectrum of soil health!
Soil Health Hubs
Regional Soil Health Hubs are where growers meet with each other to explore practices, strategies, and opportunities to make farmland more profitable and resilient through healthier soil.
Farmer Stories
We know every farmer, like every farm, is unique. These spotlights feature farmers of all backgrounds across the Chesapeake region – those with different farm sizes, production methods, and farming traditions.