Building Better Soil with Producer Ray McCormick

By Gilbert Randolph

In Knox County, Indiana, Ray McCormick is using his decades of experience alongside the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other partners to lead the way for soil health, wildlife-friendly practices, and his farm’s bottom line. This work is central to NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) initiative, which provides financial and technical assistance to private landowners to implement fundamental conservation practices on working lands.

Ray operates a multigenerational farm, growing corn, soybeans and well-fed beef cattle. He’s a lifelong conservationist and hunter and is active in efforts to educate landowners across the nation about how to improve farming practices while maintaining productivity. Knox County is adjacent to a WLFW priority geographic area for bobwhite quail. Ray’s property is an outstanding example of how ag operations can utilize NRCS programs to remain productive for farming and support wildlife.

Cover crops are the basis for the excellent soil health throughout Ray’s property. Through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), he plants cover crops including clovers and annual rye grass.