You Should Have Seen
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Meyer, Plant Scientist, Retired from Corteva
Email: meyerdavidh@gmail.com
Phone: (402) 366-5684
Now that I am retired from Corteva Agriscience, I find myself with more time to share stories with my grandkids about growing up on a farm in Northeast Nebraska in the 1960s. And often, I start with, “You should have seen...”
You should have seen the carp, bullhead, and catfish we caught in Maple Creek. Back then, our only concern was watching out for the bones while eating—not the quality of the water they lived in.
You should have seen the pheasants we spotted from the school bus windows, their vibrant colors standing out against the Nebraska landscape.
You should have seen how we turned on the hydrant in the farmyard and drank the cool, refreshing water in big gulps on a hot summer day, never giving a second thought to whether it needed treatment.
As I reflect on how much has changed in rural Nebraska over the decades, I’ve come to appreciate the “Seventh Generation Principle,” an ancient Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) philosophy. It encourages us to consider how our decisions today will impact the next seven generations.
I can’t help but wonder—what will my grandkids say to their grandkids about the choices we’re making now?
How We Got Here
In my 40 years in agriculture, I’ve witnessed incredible advancements: improved crop genetics, precision equipment, and better tools for managing weeds and insects. These innovations helped farmers and ranchers produce more food efficiently. However, in our pursuit of progress, we developed a system that often sought to keep nature at bay rather than working in harmony with it.
The unintended consequences of this approach accumulated slowly—so gradually that the changes were barely noticeable at first. But over time, they’ve become impossible to ignore. Since my great-grandmother was a child, the Midwest has lost half of its topsoil. Soil organic matter, which once measured between 9% and 11%, has dwindled to just 1% to 4%.
The Connection Between Soil, Human, and Planetary Health
Why should you care about soil health? Dr. Rattan Lal describes it as the “Soil, Human, Planet Health Nexus.” This concept highlights the undeniable connection between the health of our soil and the health of our plants, animals, people, environment, and planet.
Healthy soil benefits farmers financially, but it also plays a crucial role in water quality, food nutrition, and biodiversity—both above and below the ground. These aren’t just agricultural issues; they affect us all.
Here in Nebraska, we face serious water quality challenges. Extreme weather patterns are bringing more frequent and severe droughts and floods. Wildlife populations are dwindling. The economics of farming and ranching remain increasingly difficult.
Scientific research confirms these challenges, but perhaps Simon Lucus, Chief of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth of Vancouver Island, put it best: “If the water can no longer support the salmon, or the land the deer and bear, why do we think it can support us?”
A Path Forward: Soil Health Principles
The good news is that agriculture can be both economically and environmentally sustainable. Farmers and ranchers who follow the six soil health principles see positive returns while improving our natural resources. These principles are:
Know Your Context – Understand the specific conditions of your land.
Cover the Soil – Keep soil covered to prevent erosion and retain moisture.
Minimize Soil Disturbance – Reduce tillage to protect soil structure and microbes.
Increase Diversity – Rotate crops and integrate plant variety to enhance soil health.
Maintain Continuous Living Plants/Roots – Keep roots growing year-round to build soil organic matter.
Integrate Livestock – Use managed grazing to enhance soil and plant health.
It’s a myth that producers must choose between profit and sustainability. The reality is, they can achieve both.
Change Takes Time
It took generations to develop our current farming and livestock systems, and shifting toward a more soil-friendly approach will also take time. But change won’t happen unless we take the first steps.
We must consider the long-term impact of our actions, keeping in mind the next seven generations. So, what can you do?
If you’re an absentee landowner, talk with your tenant about investing in soil health. Just as you’d maintain a rental property to ensure its long-term value, the same principle applies to farmland.
If you’re transitioning the farm to the next generation, keep an open mind and support innovative soil health practices.
Ask your local seed, equipment, or input dealer what they’re doing to help farmers implement soil health principles.
Encourage state and federal lawmakers to create policies that make it easier—not harder—for farmers to adopt soil-friendly practices.
These actions will not only benefit individual farms but will also strengthen our communities and safeguard the future for our grandchildren.
We Stand at a Crossroads
We have two possible futures ahead of us:
One where farmers, consumers, and communities work together to improve soil health, leading to better economic returns and a healthier environment.
Or one where we continue business as usual, passing even greater challenges on to future generations.
The future depends on the choices we make today. Which path will we take?
About the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition
We are 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. You can learn more at www.nesoilhealth.org
