The North Central Region Soil Health Nexus is a multistate Extension-led team dedicated to increasing access to research-based soil health knowledge, extension, and resources.
The team was created in 2015 and is structured around research, extension outreach, and resource and communication activities, with representatives from across the North Central Region. Join our mailing list to stay up to date on regional soil health trainings, webinars, and new soil health resources.
Digital Café Series
Soil Health and Well-Being
Wednesday, April 15th at 2 pm CT
Join us for this April edition of the Digital Café, featuring Claire Friedrichsen, a research social scientist with the USDA. This session explores how well‑being functions as both a motivator and an outcome of soil health management. Claire will share findings from two qualitative studies showing how producers connect soil health practices to their own well‑being through competence, autonomy, relatedness, dignity, self‑determination, connectedness, and the fulfillment of basic physiological needs, as well as how they see these practices strengthening their community’s well‑being by supporting local capacity, conditions, and social connections. She will also discuss preliminary efforts to quantify the relationship between the adoption of soil health practices and producer well‑being.
Upcoming Events
Each year, the Soil Health Nexus partners to host a multistate workshop for ag educators.
In 2025 the Soil Health Nexus joined Iowa State Outreach and Extension and educators from across the region for the Soil Health and Livestock: Above and Below Ground Benefits of Livestock on the Land Workshop on October 22nd and 23rd in Ames, Iowa.
Featured Resource
We have recently updated our Soil Health Nexus Toolbox! Users can now search by category and keywords allowing you to easily find the resoruces you need. Got questions about compaction or salinity? We’ve got you covered.
All resources have been reviewed by Extension specialists and faculty for accuracy and relevance. Check it out today!