Most conversations about sustainable agriculture focus on practices—what to plant, how to till, or cover crop secrets. But what if the future of healthy soils and resilient farms hinges on something deeper? Dr. Natalie Sturm, Dakota Lakes Research Farm’s new farm manager, reveals how long-term crop rotations—and specifically the power of crop residue—are shaping the next generation of regenerative farming.

Discover how Dakota Lakes is pioneering research that shows soils with consistent root biomass and high-residue crops outperform even the most diverse rotations at building organic matter and restoring soil function. Natalie shares behind-the-scenes insights from 30+ years of no-till management and her own scientific journey from suburban Chicago to the heart of South Dakota. She explains how farm-scale systems, like five-year perennial sequences and livestock integration, can drastically reduce soil erosion, combat salinity, and increase farm profitability without relying on the latest chemical fixes.

You'll learn about innovative strategies such as virtual fencing for livestock, energy independence through on-farm biodiesel, and the critical importance of research that cuts through the marketing noise of the “ag industrial complex.” Natalie delves into how long-term, systems-based research can serve as a blueprint for farms across the country—whether you're in the Midwest trying to restore saline soils or a California grower exploring perennial grasses.

Timestamps:

0:01:18 - The legacy of Dwayne Beck and the importance of long-term research

0:04:32 - Cropping systems diversity and crop management practices

0:06:25 - The role of crop rotation and residue in soil health

0:13:13 - Agroecology principles and ecological benefits in farming

0:16:21 - Livestock integration, virtual fencing, and animal management innovations

0:19:26 - Summer field days and farmer engagement

0:22:45 - Equipment innovations for no-till and residue management

0:39:01 - Residue management and its impact on soil health

0:47:36 - Education events and farm tours for farmers and researchers

0:49:46 - Innovations in energy independence and renewable energy on the farm

0:52:20 - Replicating Dakota Lakes’ model in other regions

0:54:18 - Building networks for collaborative research and adaptation

0:55:37 - Dr. Sturm’s visionary outlook for the next 20-40 years

About our Guest (credit: https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2026/03/sturm-returns-dakota-lakes-research-farm-next-farm-manager)

Dr. Natalie Sturm conducts agronomic field research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm.

Sturm conducted research at the Dakota Lakes Research Fam as part of her master’s degree. She is now replacing her former mentor, Dwayne Beck, who retired after more than 35 years of service.

Sturm completed her bachelor’s degree in sustainable food and bioenergy systems at Montana State University, her master’s in plant science at South Dakota State University and her doctorate in soil science at Washington State University. In her first few months on the job, she plans on learning as much as possible about the farm’s daily operations and meeting the local farmers, scientists and stakeholders that support the Dakota Lakes mission.

The Dakota Lakes Research Farm is a unique partnership between the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Dakota Lakes Corporation, a nonprofit, farmer-led organization that owns the farmland and provides input on how research performed on the farm can best impact farmers. The research is conducted by SDSU faculty and staff through South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station funding. Both entities are committed to conducting research that allows South Dakotans to make more informed decisions on their operations.

Annually held on the last Thursday in June, this year’s Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day is on June 25, beginning at 3 p.m. More info: https://dakotalakes.com/