NO-TILL Protective crop residue has been left on the surface of the low-till area at left, where soil scientist Joe Bradford is standing. In contrast, conventional tillage exposes the soil to wind and water erosion in the adjoining field where agronomist Jim Smart kneels. Deep tillage also disrupts the activities of beneficial microbes and earthworms and dissipates soil carbon into the atmosphere. Photo: Jack Dykinga/USDA ARS Park your plow: Tips for the no-till-curious BY ELIZABETH CREECH NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE R At a field day event in Pullman, Washington, soil scientist Ann Kennedy uses canning jars to illustrate the greater volume of larger sized clumps of soil found in direct-seed soil compared to soil tilled multiple times. These larger sized clumps will not be subject to wind erosion. Photo: Dennis Brown/USDA ARS 44 FALL 2020 educed erosion. Saved time and fuel. Improved nutrient cycling, soil moisture, and resiliency in the face of drought. You likely already know the potential benefits of no-till. No-till farmers grow crops with minimal disturbance to their fields and the organisms that call them home. This builds healthier soils while reducing money spent on fuel and labor - a win-win. With harvest season winding down, you're no doubt making an important decision for your working land. Will you hook up the plow, or is this the year you'll park it for good? If you'd like to try no-till, this article is for you.