Home / Authors / Martha Mintz

Martha Mintz

Since 2011, Martha has authored the highly popular “What I’ve Learned About No-Till” series that has appeared in every issue of No-Till Farmer since August of 2002.

Growing up on a cattle ranch in southeastern Montana, Martha is a talented ag writer and photographer who lives with her family in Billings, Montana.

Articles

ARTICLES

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Achieving Profits and Sustainability with a Properly Cycling System

In this no-tiller’s book, conservation practices must work for your soils and your bank account.

By Jack Herricks and Martha Mintz posted on February 21, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health, Water Management

The good thing about Cashton soils is they don’t dry out. The bad thing about Cashton soils is they don’t dry out. That’s the saying around here. It’s partly why I use cover crops like cereal rye.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Leveling Up and Paring Down for Better No-Till Results

Integrating no-till, then cover crops, cattle, compost, autoinducers and more are ramping up performance for this Colorado dryland producer.

By Curtis Sayles and Martha Mintz posted on January 24, 2020 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

We keep hitting new levels with our no-till system. There’s no stopping and it keeps farming interesting — certainly more interesting than the traditional wheat-fallow rotation we used to follow.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Data-Guided Changes Help No-Till Farm Support Three Families

Equipment, technologies, inputs and more are all subject to evaluation — only the proven are maintained.

By Bryan Tomm and Martha Mintz posted on December 28, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Equipment, Crop Protection, Nutrient Management, Precision Ag, Soil Health

I'm very goal oriented. I spent 9 years working as a process engineer for ADM before our family made the move to my wife’s family farm in 2014. My corporate experience meant a lot of performance evaluations and structured goal setting, which I now apply on the farm.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Water In, Slugs Out, Inputs Down, Profits Up

Things are certainly moving in the right directions for Ben Peckman thanks to mindful no-till and cover crop management.

By Ben Peckman and Martha Mintz posted on November 27, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Soil Health

The Poor Crew from Pennsylvania State University, NRCS and ARS looking to study nutrient losses in runoff left my farm very disappointed this past fall.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Sidestepping Disaster Pushes No-Till Farm Down Bold New Path

Once a mere day from filing bankruptcy, these young farmers got a second chance and are bravely, and boldly pressing on.

By Doug McConnell and Martha Mintz posted on October 31, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

In 2017 the wheels came off, both literally and figuratively. First, and worst, our bank suddenly decided to not renew our operating loan.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Planter Building Proves A Useful Skillset for Pennsylvania No-Tiller

Horse or tractor-farmed fields alike benefit from no-till and a strategically built and well-maintained planter.

By Gideon Stoltzfus and Martha Mintz posted on October 10, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment

I think readers will find our experiences with no-till to be equally foreign and familiar. Foreign in the fact that on our family farm, the horsepower that runs our field operations comes from actual draft horses. Familiar in that we've gained many benefits from making the move to no-till.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: Clearing a Path for Ever-Improving Production

John Sherman Jr. constantly searches out information on practices that can push his no-till productivity ever higher.

By John Sherman Jr. and Martha Mintz posted on September 1, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Nutrient Management

I'm a sweeper in my local curling club. It’s my job is to manipulate the ice, helping guide the stone down the perfect path to its ultimate target.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Cover Crop Solution Dispels Prevent Planting Blues

Cereal rye is a ready-made soil builder when rain keeps the Roemke family out of their no-till fields.

By Mark, Adam and Jon Roemke and Martha Mintz posted on August 1, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Equipment, Nutrient Management, Soil Health

We were uncharacteristically resistant when our agronomist, Joe Nester, first brought up the idea of using cover crops. Now we’re hooked and they’re helping bring our no-till farming system to the next level.

What I've Learned From No-Tilling: Focus on No-Till, Soil Health Puts Farm Problems Out to Pasture

Veteran no-tiller Terry Ness has found a focus on soil health and diverse rotations can mean reduced inputs and security in the face of weather, insects, weeds and disease.

By Terry Ness and Martha Mintz posted on July 11, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops, Soil Health

My soils were on the verge of giving out on me when I finally made the switch to no-till. I’m a first-generation farmer.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling: No-Till, Cover Crops Provide Efficiency and Security in Tough Times

Integrating a proactive cover crop program has helped no-tiller Lucinda Stuenkel produce healthier soils and a productive cattle herd.

By Lucinda Stuenkel and Martha Mintz posted on May 29, 2019 | Posted in Seeding & Planting, Cover Crops

Working smarter not harder was the leading reason my husband initially made the switch to no-till about 18 years ago.

View All Articles by Martha Mintz

Current Issue

No-Till Farmer

Get full access NOW to the most comprehensive, powerful and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices. Just one good idea will pay for your subscription hundreds of times over.

Subscribe Now

‘Getting Paid’ for Your No-Till Soil Health

Maximizing Solar Efficiency for Higher Profits, Better Soil Health

4 Tips to Supercharge Strip-Tillage with Certified Organic Acres

Must Read Free Eguides

Download these helpful knowledge building tools

Regenerative Farming Effects on Water Quality

Addressing a gathering of the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water, Russell Hedrick of Hickory, N.C., shares a presentation on the impacts on water quality that can be realized by utilizing regenerative ag practices, such as growing cover crops, reducing soil disturbance, maintaining soil armor, and integrating livestock.

Events

Producer-Led Webinar: Planting Corn into Standing Rye

Date: 04/07/20

Location:

Have your local farmer meetings and field events been cancelled? Join in on this virtual event to learn about planting corn green into standing cereal rye.

View Event

More Events

Top Directory Listings

Yetter Farm Equipment

Finding solutions to the problems farmers face is what inspired Harry and Etta Yetter to open a small machine shop in west central Illinois in the 1930s. Today, four generations later, Yetter continues the tradition of solving agricultural problems to meet the needs of producers all over the world.

Needham Ag Technologies, LLC

Needham Ag understands the role of technology in making better use of limited resources within a specific environment by drawing on a wealth of global experience to overcome the challenges facing today's farmers, manufacturers and dealers.

Titan International, Inc

Titan offers a full line of wheels, tires and undercarriage products for a wide variety of off-the-road equipment.