By Christine Charles and Broderick Raleigh et.al
In February 2026, Michigan State University Extension partnered with the MSU Center for Regenerative Agriculture to offer a special webinar series on regenerative agriculture. These sessions brought together farmers, educators and landowners who are interested in healthier soils, stronger farms and more resilient rural communities.
The series introduced six key principles that guide regenerative agriculture. These principles focus on living roots in the soil, minimizing soil disturbance, increasing plant diversity, integrating livestock, and understanding your unique farm context. One important message from the series was clear: regenerative agriculture is not “one size fits all.” Every farm is different. Climate, soil type, crops, livestock and personal goals all matter. The goal of the webinar series was not to tell farmers exactly what to do, but to share ideas, examples and research to help guide decisions.
Rewards and risks of residue
Crop residue—the stalks, leaves and stems left after harvest—is a key part of regenerative agriculture. It helps protect soil, improve water retention and build organic matter over time. However, managing residue requires balancing benefits with challenges during planting and crop establishment.
In Michigan and other regions with cool, wet springs, residue can slow soil warming and delay crop emergence. Heavy residue can interfere with seed placement and limit seed-to-soil contact, resulting in uneven stands. In addition, high-residue environments can create favorable conditions for pests such as slugs and voles. These tradeoffs highlight the need for careful, planned, adaptive management.
Source : msu.edu