In this episode of the Spilled Salt podcast, host Maureen Ballatori took the discussion live, at the 2025 Cultivate conference in Fargo, North Dakota. Maureen was joined by a panel of experts gathered to discuss one of agriculture’s most foundational yet complex topics: soil health. The conversation offered a candid, multi-faceted look at the challenges and opportunities facing farmers today.
The panelists brought diverse perspectives:
- Kathi Luther, a farmer and seed dealer from North Dakota.
- Dr. Carlos Pires, Assistant Professor and Extension Soil Health Specialist at NDSU Extension.
- Ehsan Soltan, founder of Soiltech Wireless, a developer of soil and environmental sensors.
- Adrian Battiston, Principal of Product Creation at Miraterra, which works on improving measurement across the food supply chain.
Balancing Profitability with Soil Health
When asked about the biggest barrier to adopting soil health practices, panelists quickly pointed to profitability. Many farmers recognize the long-term benefits of improving soil health, but the immediate costs of implementing new practices often present a significant hurdle. As Luther emphasized, farmers need to see data and results on their own land before feeling confident enough to adopt new approaches. Behavior change takes time, and farmers must balance financial viability with stewardship.
Understanding What to Measure
The group agreed that while soil health is a widely discussed concept, there is little consensus on exactly how to measure it. Pires emphasized starting with the basics: organic matter is the foundation. It influences everything from compaction resistance to water retention and nutrient availability. Without first understanding and measuring organic matter, farmers may find more advanced metrics less actionable.
Battiston added that measurement costs remain high, limiting the frequency and depth of data collection. Consistency in lab testing is another challenge. Variability in soil sample analysis can complicate year-over-year comparisons, which are crucial for making informed management decisions.
Technology as a Tool, Not a Silver Bullet
Both Soltan and Battiston were clear that technology should support, not replace, the expertise of farmers and agronomists. While sensors, remote labs, and data analytics can offer valuable insights, they cannot substitute for boots-on-the-ground knowledge. Soltan stressed the importance of aligning technology with the realities of daily farm operations, ensuring that new tools are practical, affordable, and truly helpful.
The Complexity of Carbon Credits
The conversation also touched on carbon markets, an area described by multiple panelists as the “Wild West.” Despite growing interest, the process of qualifying for carbon credits remains complex and often favors newcomers rather than farmers who have been practicing sustainable methods for decades. Luther shared firsthand frustrations with the amount of data entry required to secure credits for her growers, noting that for many, the financial payoff is not yet sufficient to justify the time investment.
Precision Agriculture and the Need for Context
Precision agriculture holds promise for making soil health practices more targeted and efficient. For example, deploying different cover crop species based on specific field conditions can maximize benefits while controlling costs. However, Pires reminded the audience that what works on one farm may not work on another. Regional conditions, soil types, and crop rotations all influence which practices are feasible and effective.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities in Soil Health
When asked about the biggest opportunities for soil health in the next five years, panelists emphasized the need for incentives that fairly compensate farmers for adopting sustainable practices. Several noted that broader policy changes could help accelerate adoption by aligning economic incentives with environmental goals.
Battiston suggested that future markets may begin to reward nutrient density in crops, creating new financial drivers for farmers who focus on soil health. However, as Pires cautioned, improving soil health and increasing nutrient density are related but not perfectly correlated; multiple factors influence the nutrition of food crops.
Luther summarized the sentiment well: “There’s a lot of responsibility as a farmer to feed the world. We do our best at soil health. Is that number one in what we’re doing? It isn’t. But we do the best we can.”
Patience, Data, and a Practical Approach to Soil Health
The discussion closed on an optimistic note, with panelists agreeing that while soil health is complex, it is not insurmountable. Incremental changes, continuous learning, and support from research, technology, and policy can help farmers make meaningful progress.
In the end, the conversation reinforced a central truth: soil health is a long-term investment. It requires patience, data, and above all, a practical approach that recognizes the realities farmers face every day.
Cultivate Conference 2025 convenes AgTech innovators, growers, researchers, and industry leaders to tackle agriculture’s most pressing challenges and explore emerging technology solutions. Centered around insights from the Regional Agriculture Pain Point Report (RAPPR), this year’s event highlights real-world obstacles and actionable opportunities for innovation. Developed by Grand Farm, Cultivate offers expert-led keynotes, solution-focused breakout sessions, and high-impact networking, all within the collaborative AgTech ecosystem Grand Farm has cultivated. Attendees gain practical knowledge, build meaningful connections, and contribute to shaping the future of agriculture through technology and partnership. Learn more at https://grandfarm.com.