Ohio No-Tiller Dedicates 100 Acres to Research

Ed Winkle tests varieties, seed treatments, planting dates, and more to design profitable programs for his farm.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:23am

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Blanchester Today

Ed Winkle, a 500-acre no-till farmer in Blanchester, Ohio, dedicates 100 acres of his land to research, testing different varieties, seed treatments, planting dates, and application rates with the goal of designing profitable programs that work on his farm. Winkle has a long history of running test plots, having expanded the Blanchester School District farm from 1971 to 1987, and he believes that test plots help gather reputable data to make more confident decisions.

Why it matters

Winkle's commitment to research and experimentation on his own farm provides valuable insights that can help other no-till farmers in the region improve their operations and profitability. His focus on crop rotation and diversification also highlights the importance of soil health in sustainable farming practices.

The details

Winkle spends about half his time farming and the other half operating his consulting business. He proclaims the benefits of a consistent crop rotation program that provides the best returns while being the most beneficial for the soil. His research shows that it's possible to plant the same crop 2 years in a row, as long as you give the field a break by planting it into other crops for a period of time.

  • Winkle ran and expanded the Blanchester School District farm from 1971 to 1987.
  • Winkle currently farms 500 acres in Blanchester, Ohio.

The players

Ed Winkle

A 500-acre no-till farmer in Blanchester, Ohio who dedicates 100 acres of his land to research, testing different varieties, seed treatments, planting dates, and application rates.

Blanchester School District

The school district where Winkle ran and expanded the farm from 1971 to 1987, testing various seeds and fertilizers.

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What they’re saying

“I've always wanted to know what makes things tick.”

— Ed Winkle, No-Till Farmer

“We tried everyone's seed and fertilizer, whatever we could get for the farm. And what we learned is that test plots help us gather reputable data. And the more data we collect, the more confident we become with the results.”

— Ed Winkle, No-Till Farmer

“My grandfather always talked about rotating the crops on the fields. After several years of testing, we've proved that the longer you keep the crop off the ground, the better it performs.”

— Ed Winkle, No-Till Farmer

The takeaway

Winkle's dedication to on-farm research and experimentation, combined with his focus on crop rotation and diversification, demonstrates the value of a data-driven approach to sustainable no-till farming. His insights can help other farmers in the region improve their operations and profitability while also prioritizing soil health.