Subtropical Soil

Health Initiative (SSHI)

The Subtropical Soil Health Initiative is a research partnership between the National Center for Appropriate Technology and UTRGV to address soil health challenges in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The project, funded by a USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant, examines the effectiveness, practicality, and profitability of cover crops and reduced tillage practices through on-farm trials conducted with several local farm partners. Over the past 3 years, the project has trialed 17 cover crop species, determined promising candidates for cover cropping in the semiarid subtropics, and has shared the lessons learned with the local agricultural community through field days, workshops, and videos.