Healthy Soils Program
In 2023, we launched our Healthy Soils Program, and are now offering equipment rentals, soil analysis, and no-till mentorships. Click on the drop-down menu to explore our current offerings. Check back every now and then to see what programs & services we have added!
What is healthy soil? A commonly accepted definition is “the continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans” (USDA-NRCS, 2012). You can read more about the principles of soil health in Cornell University’s Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health manual – an amazing resource!
The Healthy Soil Program is made possible by grants from the Mass Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Fairs and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). Donations to sustain and grow the program are deeply appreciated. Visit our Donate page to support us!
Free Soil Samples 2025
Acres Managed with our Equipment 2025
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Impact Increase from 2024 - 2025
Free Soil Samples 2024
Acres Managed with our Equipment 2024
“We rented the Esch 5605 no-till seed drill from HHCD to interseed 13 acres of our overgrazed pasture with a fast-establishing pasture mix. I loved getting to use this machine– it’s an intuitive and easy-to-use piece of equipment, and Matthew gave me a really helpful and thorough run-down of the specifics before I started.The drill itself was just the perfect tool for us- my pasture is 13 acres of sloped perennial pasture- it needed some serious rejuvenation, but I wasn’t willing to fully till or chemically kill it. The no-till drill was just right… [and] renting it from HHCD was a breeze– easy to schedule, easy to pick up, and super affordable. Thanks Matthew!”
