Pennsylvania No-Tillers See Yields, Soil Improve After Transition

Lancaster County farmers adopt twin-row silage corn, alfalfa, double-cropped wheat/soybeans and cover crops.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:20am

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A bold, colorful grid of stylized farm machinery rendered in a high-contrast pop art style, conceptually representing the innovative spirit of the region's no-till farmers.Vibrant silkscreen prints of iconic farm equipment celebrate the creativity and resilience of Pennsylvania's no-till agriculture community.Lancaster Today

A group of Pennsylvania no-till farmers in Lancaster County have seen steady yield increases and soil improvement after a 3-year transition to a new cropping system featuring twin-row silage corn, alfalfa, double-cropped wheat/soybeans, and cover crops. Many of the farms in the area are small, Amish-owned dairies with around 50-60 cows.

Why it matters

As more farmers look to adopt no-till and regenerative practices, the experiences of these Lancaster County producers provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of transitioning to a more sustainable cropping system, especially for small, diversified farms in the region.

The details

Over the 3-year transition period, the Lancaster County no-tillers implemented a system featuring twin-row silage corn, alfalfa, double-cropped wheat and soybeans, and cover crops. This shift in management practices has led to steady yield increases as well as improvements to the overall health and fertility of their soils.

  • The no-till farmers began their 3-year transition in 2023.
  • The farmers have seen yield increases and soil improvements since implementing the new cropping system.

The players

Lancaster County no-till farmers

A group of small, diversified no-till farmers located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, many of whom are Amish and operate dairy farms with around 50-60 cows.

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What’s next

The no-till farmers plan to continue monitoring the long-term impacts of their new cropping system on yields, soil health, and overall farm profitability.

The takeaway

The experiences of these Lancaster County no-till farmers demonstrate that transitioning to more sustainable practices like cover cropping, diversified rotations, and reduced tillage can lead to tangible benefits for small, diversified operations, even in challenging environments like the small fields common to the region.