Since joining the Western Wisconsin Conservation Council (WWCC) in 2019, Spencer Anderson has worked to improve his farm with sustainable practices. By doing so, Anderson has seen positive results while learning more about conservation research and current insights.
Anderson farms with his wife, family, and neighbor in Hager City. Their family farm dates back to the late 1800s. Today, they grow corn, soybeans, and alfalfa while raising cattle and sheep.
To improve soil health, the Andersons use cover cropping and no-till practices on all their land. Recently, they experimented with aerial seeding for cover crops. However, Anderson noted this method depends heavily on fall moisture conditions.
In the past year, Anderson has also focused more on using the Haney Test to assess soil health and fertility.
“One of the benefits of being involved with WWCC is the support we get to try new practices,” Anderson said. “Through partnerships with our local university and industry organizations, our group frequently takes part in sustainable farming research, constantly learning to improve our community and farms.”
WWCC also offers a cost-share program to help farmers try new practices with less financial risk.
“Our cost-share program is an excellent resource for farmers,” Anderson said. “It can help alleviate the hesitation and fear that can come with trying something new on the farm.”
Annual Survey Results
WWCC members participated in the 2024 Member Conservation Practice Survey. Results showed that member farmers planted 16,392 acres of cover crops, used no-till and strip-till on 25,043 acres, and planted directly into cover crops on 7,511 acres. In addition, 40 farms followed a nutrient management plan to improve conservation efforts.
“Documenting our progress each year is beneficial for both our members and for showcasing our work,” Anderson said. “It also helps encourage other farmers to implement similar practices on their farms.”
Conservation Impact
Data analyzed by Houston Engineering, Inc., and Farmers for Sustainable Food revealed the environmental benefits of WWCC’s conservation practices:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 4,643 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, equal to the emissions from 1,105 cars driven in a year.
- Prevented 79,910 tons of sediment loss from farm fields, which equals 7,991 dump trucks full of soil.
- Reduced phosphorus runoff by 94,978 pounds, potentially preventing 47.5 million pounds of algae growth in local waters.
“As our membership continues to grow, I encourage everyone to get involved with WWCC,” Anderson said. “It’s great to connect and share ideas with other farmers. There is a wealth of valuable research and insights for us to share.”
