Observations of erosion prompted JD Hollingsworth to begin implementing conservation practices on his family’s Jefferson County farm.

As JD Hollingsworth re­calls, the turning point came one evening in 2012 while riding in the combine with his father, harvesting soybeans. The constant bumping across the field made him realize they needed to change their approach to farming.

“We were bouncing across these little rills in the field, and I said, ‘I’m tired of this,’” Hollingsworth recalled.

Around the same time, Hollingsworth had the opportunity to observe several field conservation demonstrations — an on-site water infiltration test, a slake test and a rainfall simulator. Each of these tools assesses soil health, stability and the ground’s ability to absorb water rather than wash it away.

“I knew that we had to do something different,” Hollingsworth said. “We had been dealing with some erosion. The day I saw the slake test … I went home and told Dad I’m done tilling because I’m seeing what water does to our soil.”

Hollingsworth, a fifth-generation farmer and Jefferson County Farm Bureau member, is part of a growing movement of farmers embracing conservation practices to improve soil health, reduce erosion and boost yields. 

Alongside his wife, Becky; children Noah, 6, and Emma, 4; father, Dave; and neighbor and farm partner, Cole Reighard, the group operates a sustainable farming operation that raises corn, soybeans and cereal rye, while also exploring wheat and diverse cover crops. They have fully embraced conservation methods, adding cover crops and buffer strips to their no-till efforts.

“If we don’t take care of our soil, it won’t take care of us,” Hollingsworth said. “This is about more than just making a profit — it’s about building a legacy for the future.”

No-till and cover crops

For Hollingsworth, the switch to no-till farming was both an environmental and economic decision. His goal was to build soil health, reduce erosion and improve water quality — efforts he believes are essential for long-term sustainability while also taking advantage of cost savings from fewer passes through the field.

“No-till was the first step,” he said. “I wanted to keep our soil in place instead of watching it wash away every time it rained.” 

By minimizing soil disturbance, no-till farming helps retain moisture and preserve soil structure, he added.

“We had no-tilled some beans since the 1990s, but nothing consistent,” Hollingsworth ex­plained. “We had done some vertical tilling, but we were starting to have erosion concerns.”

The farm fully adopted no-till by 2013. 

“We haven’t tilled since,” he said.

Next, they began experimenting with cover crops — planting rye and other species in the fall to keep the soil covered during the winter months.

While no-till was effective on its own, it wasn’t until the implementation of cover crops that the operation began to see additional environmental benefits and economic savings. Cover crops like rye protect the soil from erosion while feeding the microorganisms that keep it fertile. These crops are planted immediately after harvest to get them established before winter, Hollingsworth said.

“Cover crops act like armor for the soil,” he explained. “They hold everything in place, add organic matter and even suppress weeds.

“After one year of no-till and cover crops, my dad was sold,” he said. 

Not only did the soil seem healthier, but it also saved money on inputs like fuel and labor. 

The soil, once compacted and worn out by tillage, began to show signs of life again.

“Our primary goal has been reducing soil erosion,” Hollingsworth said. “I want to see green coming up in the fall, covering the whole field.”

In recent years, they’ve started “planting green,” seeding into already-established cereal rye that can reach several feet tall before being terminated or harvested. 

“For soybeans, we have found no reason to terminate before we plant,” Hollingsworth explained. “Corn, it depends on the year.”

Cereal rye also became a cash crop, producing 45 to 50 bushels per acre of readily available seed for the farm each year, with extra seed being sold to neighbors. 

This will be the farm’s first year harvesting wheat for seed as well.

Buffer strips

Among the initial conservation measures the Hollingsworths implemented were buffer strips — vegetated areas along waterways that help filter out sediment and nutrients before they reach streams. These measures were first explored in the early 2000s when Dave took advantage of cost-share programs to install filter strips along water bodies.

“Immediately, we started seeing more pheasants come back … more wildlife,” Hollingsworth said. “The creek banks used to be raw and looked like they were caving off all the time. All of a sudden, you’re starting to see the vegetation working its way down into the water, so the banks are more stable.”

Water quality also improved, he noted. In combination with cover crops and no-till practices, the water flowing through the tile lines is now cleaner. 

“We’ve seen a real difference in water quality,” Hollingsworth said. “The runoff is much cleaner now, and we’re keeping valuable nutrients where they belong — in the field. Instead of looking at a stream and seeing muddy chocolate milk, now it’s clean and clear.”

Hollingsworth has also started establishing pollinator habitat and hopes to replace some filter strips with additional pollinator-friendly mixes.

“If we can bring in that diversity, if we can bring in the beneficial insects, they’re going to help control some of the pest insects that we might encounter from time to time,” he said.

Seeding the future

One of the most compelling reasons Hollingsworth sticks with conservation farming, aside from the environmental benefits, are the economic advantages that have accumulated over the years. 

Although the transition to no-till and cover crops initially led to higher input costs, he now sees a net return of about $49 per acre on soybeans and $15 per acre on corn from the conservation practices. While cover crops require additional management, the improved resilience of the soil makes the practice worthwhile. 

“Even in dry years, the soil holds moisture better, and we get higher yields,” he noted, specifically in soybeans. “We’re seeing the soil is more resilient … even later in the season.”

The journey from conventional to no-till farming wasn’t just about implementing new practices. It was about rethinking how they treated the land. 

“At first, we didn’t have anyone to turn to,” he explains. “There wasn’t a guidebook for this kind of farming. We had to figure it out on our own.”

Now, he helps other farmers understand the importance of planning ahead, consulting experts and staying flexible as they transition to no-till and cover crops. He also is mentoring the next generation, often serving as a guest speaker on conservation for various groups and organizations.

As interest in sustainable farming grows, Hollingsworth sees the future of agriculture shifting toward greater resilience, soil health and sustainability.

For those still unsure about no-till or cover crops, his advice is simple: “Think it through, have a plan and be willing to adapt. But most importantly, give it a try. The benefits are worth it,” he said.

“I can go in my field now and find fishing worms left and right. From 2014 to 2022, we built our organic matter by 1% on the farm. We started seeing the residue decomposition from the microbes. For me … that makes me excited. I’m seeing the soil come back to life.”