Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series of two stories related to the completion of the long-awaited Healthy Soils Task Force report, called “Soil Health for Nebraska Wealth.” This article, through a slideshow gallery, goes into more detail about each of the five main goals laid out in the HSTF report.

On Dec. 31, the Nebraska Healthy Soils Task Force officially completed its known task, to deliver a comprehensive report aimed at “developing a positive, proactive plan for soil health to ensure an enriched, resilient and sustainable future for the state of Nebraska,” as listed in the group’s mission statement.

HSTF was created in April 2019, when Gov. Pete Ricketts signed LB243 into law. The group met for the first time in August 2019 and finalized its report for delivery to the governor and the Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee in December 2020.

From the report, called “Soil Health for Nebraska Wealth,” five main goals surfaced to the top as methods toward a comprehensive soil health initiative for the state.

Nebraska Farmer spoke with HSTF Chairman Keith Berns, Bladen, about the details of each of those goals. Click through our slideshow to learn more about the five main initiative goals and what they could mean for Nebraska producers.

Related:Nebraska Healthy Soils Task Force delivers final report

Read the full report at nda.nebraska.gov.