NUETA HIDATSA SAHNISH COLLEGE REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE: RESEARCHING DIVERSE YEAR-ROUND COVER CROPS AND INTENSIVE GRAZING EFFECTS ON SOIL HEALTH FOR LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION

Research Goal: Our long-term goal is to investigate soil health, resilience, nutrition content, and profitability in North Dakota vegetable production systems. The goal of the proposed study is to drill down on the cost/benefit of no-till organic vegetable production systems by comparing soil quality, yield, nutrient density, and costs as compared to full tillage. In addition, the study plans to contrast the forms of termination of cover crops to better understand the effect on soil health and overall economic picture of cover crop termination via roller and fabric vs intensive livestock grazing.Research Objectives: The following research objectives are established for the project:1. To determine the impact of cover crop termination methods (Tillage; Roller; Livestock) on soil quality, crop yield and crop quality (nutrient density) in a vegetable cropping system. a. Soil quality (reflected in soil organic carbon (SOC); total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN); C:N ratio; PLFA; soil respiration; and F:B ratios). b. Crop yield (total DM # per replicate per crop type) c. Nutrient density (Polyphenol; FRAP (antioxidant); and total vitamins and minerals)2. To determine the cost associated with crop termination methods in a vegetable cropping system. Actual costs and actual returns.