Join us on the Cornell University campus for a seminar covering a recent farmer survey on soil health practices by Cedric Mason. The seminar will be held in room 135 Emerson Hall.

Cedric Mason, research support specialist with New York Soil Health, conducted a survey of over 180 farmers across NYS and identified the most common costs, constraints, and benefits of using reduced tillage, cover crops, and other soil health practices. Greater yields were reported by 52% of those practicing reduced tillage, and by 50% of those who use cover crops. Reduced erosion was the most widespread advantage of both practices, with more than 80% reporting this benefit. Over 60% of farmers reported improved drought resilience and better drainage.

The survey also revealed differences between vegetable and corn-soy growers, and documented trends in benefits over time when comparing farmers with 1 – 5 years of experience with those using soil health practices for 5 – 10 years or more.

Mason brings expertise in sustainable agriculture and climate change. Before graduate school he worked on farms in the Northeast, specializing in organic fruits and vegetables, and Christmas trees. And in 2016 completed a Ph.D. in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell where he conducted research on perennial bioenergy crops. He began working with the New York Soil Health team in 2017.