Case Study: Soil Biology Transition Recognized with 2025 Soil Health Award

In 2025, Steve and Peg Friedrichs of Bremen and Matt and Megan Smith of Herkimer were recognized with the Marshall County Bankers Association Soil Health Award for their commitment to conservation and soil stewardship.

Their work — highlighted in local newspaper coverage — emphasized no-till practices, cover crops, soil food web principles, and long-term land stewardship.

Behind that recognition was a multi-year, biology-first transition.

Beginning the Transition (2021)

In 2021, the Friedrichs and Smith families began working with Kent Holle a SoilFoodWeb trained Consultant to deepen their understanding of soil biology and microbial function within their existing no-till and cover crop systems.

Initial efforts included:

  • Comprehensive soil testing

  • Biological soil assessments

  • Microbial evaluation and interpretation

  • Identifying nutrient cycling inefficiencies

Rather than abandoning current conservation practices, the focus was on strengthening the biological engine driving those systems.

Building Biologically Complete Compost

A central part of the transition involved learning to produce and manage biologically complete compost.

Kent provided:

  • On-site and on phone instruction in compost production

  • Guidance on feedstock diversity and compost maturity

  • Monitoring of moisture, oxygen, and biological balance

  • Interpretation of microbial testing

He also assisted in selecting and setting up a compost tea brewer and guided the proper preparation and use of compost extracts.

The goal was not to add inputs, but to restore functional microbial communities capable of cycling nutrients efficiently.

Integrating Biology with Existing Conservation Practices

The operation already emphasized:

  • No-till systems

  • Multi-species cover crops

  • Continuous living roots

  • Structural conservation practices

  • Native grass and wildflower buffer strips

Biological management enhanced these efforts by improving:

  • Soil aggregation

  • Water infiltration

  • Residue breakdown

  • Nutrient efficiency

Annual soil sampling helped monitor changes and guide management adjustments.

Measurable Improvements

Over time, soil testing indicated:

  • A documented 1% increase in organic matter on ground consistently in cover crops

  • Improved infiltration during heavy rainfall

  • Increased earthworm activity

  • More stable soil structure

These improvements reduced erosion risk and supported better moisture retention — critical in changing weather patterns.

The work was gradual and seasonal, not immediate.

Recognition and Stewardship

The 2025 Soil Health Award recognized the families’ commitment to:

  • Reduced soil disturbance

  • Cover crop integration

  • Soil food web awareness

  • Conservation structures

  • Long-term land stewardship

As noted in newspaper coverage, their goal was to leave the land in better condition for the next generation.

Consultant’s Role

Kent Holle provided:

  • On-site consulting

  • Ongoing phone support

  • Compost system development

  • Biological testing and interpretation

  • Transition guidance beginning in 2021

The collaboration strengthened soil function within an already conservation-minded operation.

Reflection

Soil recovery is not a single-season change. It is built through consistent decisions that support biology, improve structure, and allow nutrients to cycle naturally.

Recognition follows function.

This case demonstrates how biology-first management can complement existing conservation practices and contribute to measurable soil health improvements.