Our Mission Statement
Leading the way in soil regeneration by using the soil health principles and long-term soil monitoring through information and education. We will establish partnerships with producers and consumers to ensure agriculture for future generations.
The Grazing Summit presentations are available on our YouTube channel.
Advancing Soil Health Through Innovation and Education
The systems approach management enhances erosion protection, sunlight harvest, plant diversity, carbon, pollinators, beneficial insects, wildlife, salinity control, livestock forage and more.
The Menoken Farm is a conservation demonstration farm located in central
North Dakota. Some of our values:
Cropping system
Menoken Farm is divided into 10 fields, each about 12 acres. The cropping system includes no-till seeding, high crop diversity, and rotations with cover crop combinations seeded after harvest and as season-long plantings.
Compost
Each fall compost is made from a number of organic materials, including common ingredients such as hay, straw, wood shavings, fish, and manure. Upon completion, the compost is applied to available cropland and gardens.
Windbreaks
A number of windbreaks have been planted and serve as an arboretum for information and education on energy, wildlife, and forestry topics.
Grazing system
Rotational perennials are part of the crop rotation. These fields are seeded to 21 species of perennial grasses, legumes, and flowering forbs. The grazing system is managed with short livestock exposure periods, followed by long plant recovery periods.
Gardens
Menoken Farm has a high tunnel greenhouse garden and an outside garden. The soil health principles and compost are used to manage both gardens. Healthy, fresh produce is donated to the Bismarck/Mandan food pantries, in cooperation with the Hunger Free North Dakota Garden Project.
Education
With continued support from the North Dakota Department of Health and NRCS-USDA, Menoken Farm provides natural resource education.
Learn more about soil health principles through our article database.
VISITING THE FARM
The Menoken Farm hosts several groups, tours and workshops each year. If the event allows, we would be happy to accommodate you. Individuals or groups who wish to join an upcoming event or schedule their own day, please contact the office at 701-250-4518 ext-3.
Darrell Oswald
District Manager
Jay Fuhrer
Lead Educator
Seth Boechler
Menoken Farm Manager
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Recent Articles
Rebuilding our landscapes – Menoken Farm Beetle Bank
Beetle Bank Reference Farming with Native Beneficial Insects – The Xerces Society Guide, is source of the below quotes and the guide used to complete the Menoken Farm beetle bank. Beetle Bank Description “Beetle banks are a habitat enhancement intended to provide...
Tree Water Management Fact Sheet
Applicable to conservation practices containing trees and/or shrubs. Water management for trees is the management of available water, competing vegetation and supplemental water to reduce moisture.
Schedule Tour
Menoken Farm enjoys showing our guests around and educating them on what we do.
What is a conservation farm? Learn about our unique ND farm