“Grassroots” Support for Sustainable Agriculture
MEDIA CONTACT: Randy Pryor, Emeritus Extension Educator & Chair, Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund
Phone: 402-450-6058
Healthy soil is the foundation of everything—supporting healthy plants, healthy food and water, and ultimately, healthy people. And it all begins with the “grassroots” that grow in and thrive from it.
That philosophy guided Dan Gillespie throughout his life. As a longtime Battle Creek farmer and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) statewide no-till specialist for more than 30 years, Dan didn’t just talk about sustainability—he lived it. He shared his passion with farmers and ranchers at field days and conferences while practicing what he preached on his own farm.
Dan’s farm was his laboratory, where he experimented with continuous no-till farming and cover crops like winter rye. His work yielded impressive results: soils rich in organic matter, crops resilient to drought, better water infiltration, and improved irrigation efficiency.
Sadly, after retiring in 2020, Dan was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that abruptly ended his dreams of enjoying retirement with family while continuing his work in soil health. But even in the face of this diagnosis, Dan chose to “pay it forward,” sowing the seeds for future generations to grow sustainable agriculture.
Planting Seeds for a Legacy
In June 2021, Dan and his family launched the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund (DG SHF) with an initial $20,000 donation. Today, this Nebraska Community Foundation-affiliated nonprofit endowment has grown to over $100,000, providing more than $3,000 in annual grants to support youth, young farmers, and ranchers in their sustainable agriculture journeys.
So far, over $10,000 in grants has been awarded. Applications are open twice a year—March 1 and October 1—at go.unl.edu/dgfund. Recipients include:
No-Till on the Plains, UNL Extension, and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District for regenerative agriculture programming.
Youth-focused initiatives, like Omaha’s City Sprouts, which helps urban students explore agricultural careers, and Battle Creek FFA.
Student research projects, such as a Central City High School study on soil management techniques and their effects on soil aggregation and microbiomes.
The Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor Education and Agricultural Learning, promoting hands-on learning for students in Hastings.
Grassroots Leadership
The DG SHF thrives thanks to a dedicated volunteer advisory committee. With over 99% of donated funds going directly to soil health initiatives, it’s truly a grassroots effort.
As chair of the advisory committee, my own journey began with a focus on crops and water during my nearly 40 years as a Nebraska Extension Educator. I saw firsthand, as early as 1982, how no-till farming could protect precious topsoil and boost yields in dry years—long before herbicides like Roundup were on the scene.
Fellow committee member Gary Lesoing’s story is similarly rooted in sustainable practices. Growing up on a multi-generational farm in Hickman, Nebraska, Gary pursued a PhD in agronomy and dedicated his career to crop production, sustainable agriculture, and mentoring new farmers.
Collaborating for Change
The DG SHF is just one “blade” in the growing field of Nebraska’s soil health movement. One of our key partners is the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition (NSHC), a dynamic organization advancing producer-centered education and soil health principles across the state.
Dan was a proud supporter of NSHC, even testifying in the Nebraska Legislature about its importance before his health declined. Together, NSHC and its partners are creating a producer-led learning community that fosters on-farm research, mentorship, and sustainable practices to ensure Nebraska’s agricultural communities thrive.
Carrying Dan’s Vision Forward
Dan Gillespie believed in leaving the land better than you found it. His legacy is a call to action: support sustainable agriculture, protect our vital natural resources, and ensure future generations inherit healthy soil, water, and communities.
If you share Dan’s passion, visit go.unl.edu/dgfund and www.nesoilhealth.org to learn more or contribute to this growing movement. Let’s work together to nurture our land and the people who depend on it.
Randy Pryor is an Emeritus Extension Educator of the Nebraska Extension and chair of the Dan Gillespie Soil Health Fund. Contact Pryor at 402-450-6058 with any questions.
About Nebraska Soil Health Coalition
The Nebraska Soil Health Coalition is a collaborative effort to increase sustainable agricultural production and thriving rural communities. As part of that vision, we support Nebraska’s community newspapers. Our mission is to advance producer-centered education, outreach, and adoption of soil health principles to build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska. Our purpose is to advance producer-centered education, outreach, and adoption of soil health principles to build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska. You can learn more at www.nesoilhealth.org.