Glencoe farmer Ellyn Oelfke said she, her husband Jacob and brother-in-law and sister-in-law knew they’d need to upgrade equipment on their family farming operation, which includes no-till planting and cover crops.

In 2023, they were able to do so thanks in part to a Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA)-supported state soil health cost-share program.

With a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, the Oelfkes purchased an air seeder—an implement that uses air pressure to precisely sow seeds. They’ve used the air seeder the past two years to plant cover crops.