Martin Industries Celebrates Conservation Farming Innovations

No-till farming experts share tips for record-breaking soybean yields and sustainable practices

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:20am

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished metal roller-crimper tool, a handful of soybean seeds, and a small glass jar filled with rich, dark soil, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to symbolize the intersection of advanced farming technology and sustainable land stewardship.Innovative farming equipment and sustainable practices take center stage at Martin Industries' Conservation Ag Update event.Elizabethtown Today

Martin Industries, a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, hosted a Conservation Ag Update event featuring two renowned no-till farming experts. Chris Weaver, a longtime no-tiller, discussed how he prepared a record-breaking soybean plot using a roller-crimper in the fall. Jim Hershey, a Leopold Conservation Award recipient, also shared his latest conservation tips and tricks from his farm in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Why it matters

As sustainable farming practices become increasingly important, events like this Conservation Ag Update allow Martin Industries to showcase innovative no-till techniques that can help farmers boost yields while also protecting the environment. The insights shared by Weaver and Hershey demonstrate how advanced equipment and conservation-minded approaches can benefit both productivity and land stewardship.

The details

The Conservation Ag Update event, sponsored by Martin-Till, a division of Martin Industries, featured presentations from two respected no-till farming experts. Chris Weaver, a longtime no-tiller, discussed how he used a roller-crimper in the fall to prepare a record-breaking soybean plot on his farm. Jim Hershey, a recipient of the prestigious Leopold Conservation Award, also shared some of his latest conservation tips and tricks from his Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania farm.

  • The Conservation Ag Update event took place on April 18, 2026.
  • Weaver discussed his record-breaking soybean plot from the previous fall season.

The players

Martin Industries

A leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment, including the Martin-Till division that sponsored the Conservation Ag Update event.

Chris Weaver

A longtime no-till farmer who shared insights on using a roller-crimper to prepare a record-breaking soybean plot.

Jim Hershey

A recipient of the Leopold Conservation Award who presented conservation tips and tricks from his farm in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to innovate and share best practices to help farmers boost yields while also protecting the land for future generations.”

— Chris Weaver, No-till Farmer

“Sustainable farming is not just about the bottom line - it's about being a good steward of the land and leaving it in better shape for the next farmer.”

— Jim Hershey, Leopold Conservation Award Recipient

What’s next

Martin Industries plans to share video recordings of the Conservation Ag Update event on their website and social media channels so that farmers across the country can learn from the insights shared by Weaver and Hershey.

The takeaway

This Conservation Ag Update event demonstrates Martin Industries' commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices and showcasing innovative no-till techniques that can help farmers boost productivity while also protecting the environment. The expertise shared by Weaver and Hershey provides valuable guidance for farmers looking to implement conservation-minded approaches on their own operations.