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Grants Pass Today
By the People, for the People
Palouse No-Tillers Harvest Diverse Crops on Steep Slopes
Veteran no-till farmer shares insights from recent visit to the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:34am
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Precision tools and bountiful crops symbolize the innovative no-till farming practices observed in the Palouse region.Grants Pass TodayVeteran no-till farmer Jim Hoorman and his son Mike recently spent 6 days in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest, where they observed local no-tillers growing a diverse array of crops like wheat, barley, peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans on steep slopes up to 60% grade. Hoorman has visited the area before but this was his first time seeing the harvest of these crops under a no-till system.
Why it matters
The Palouse region is known for its challenging terrain and diverse crop production, making it an interesting case study for no-till farming practices. Hoorman's insights from this visit can provide valuable lessons for no-till farmers in other regions facing similar topographical and agronomic obstacles.
The details
During their 6-day visit, Hoorman and his son observed no-till farmers in the Palouse region successfully growing a wide variety of crops, including wheat, barley, peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans, on slopes as steep as 60%. This is an impressive feat given the region's challenging topography. The no-till practices used by these farmers help retain moisture and prevent soil erosion on the steep hillsides.
- Hoorman and his son Mike recently spent 6 days in the Palouse region.
- This was Hoorman's first time observing the harvest of diverse crops under a no-till system in the Palouse.
The players
Jim Hoorman
A veteran no-till farmer who has visited the Palouse region before, but this was his first time seeing the harvest of diverse crops under a no-till system in the area.
Mike Hoorman
Jim Hoorman's son, who accompanied him on the recent 6-day visit to the Palouse region.
Larry Simpson
The director of education and training for Mycorrhizal Applications in Grants Pass, Oregon, who discusses the role of soil fungi in plant nutrient and water uptake.
What they’re saying
“If you asked 1,000 people what part of the plant is responsible for uptake of moisture and nutrients, 999 would say it's the roots.”
— Larry Simpson, Director of Education and Training, Mycorrhizal Applications
The takeaway
The no-till farming practices observed in the Palouse region demonstrate the ability of farmers to successfully grow a diverse array of crops on challenging, steep terrain through the use of techniques that conserve soil moisture and prevent erosion. Hoorman's insights from this visit can provide valuable lessons for no-till farmers in other regions facing similar topographical and agronomic obstacles.
