Louisiana GLCI

No-till drilling is a technique of planting crops or pasture forages without disturbing the soil through tillage. There are many benefits to no-till planting, including reduced soil erosion and increased soil organic matter. The 5 Soil Health Principles are important to consider when establishing a forage management system on your farm. Keep the soil covered Minimize disturbance Maintain plant diversity Keep a living root Integrate livestock Cattle farmer Hayden LeJeune said, “My favorite...

On June 8, 2026, 27 attendees gathered to learn about what is required for Qualified Individuals (QIs) to do CEMA 216 soil tests for producers. The CEMA 216 test is required as part of the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program. We began the day with classroom work to discuss the background information. What is RPP, what is CEMA 216, what is NRCS. RPP is the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program. In December 2025, NRCS launched the NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, a farmer first, outcomes-based approach...

Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity (CEMA 216) is defined by USDA-NRCS* as quantitative testing for biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of soil using approved laboratory methods. CEMA 216 soil testing is a more extensive process vs. a standard soil test. It requires the assessment of five soil indicators: Soil Aggregation, Soil Carbon Cycling, Microbial Activity, Carbon Food Source, and Nitrogen Food Source; as well as Soil pH and texture.* This testing is a...