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Botanist Aims to Eliminate Fossil Fuel Use on Research Farm
Dwayne Beck of Dakota Lakes Research Farm seeks to take no-till farming to new levels of sustainability.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 5:56am
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An abstract visualization of the carbon cycle and sustainable farming practices that aim to eliminate fossil fuel use and achieve a net zero environmental footprint.Pierre TodayDwayne Beck, a botanist at South Dakota State University and manager of the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, is working to eliminate the use of fossil fuels and achieve a net zero environmental footprint on his research farm by 2026. Beck believes that no-till farming is not just about avoiding tillage, but rather about comprehensive carbon management to maintain soil organic matter while producing renewable energy to replace fossil fuels.
Why it matters
Beck's approach represents an ambitious attempt to push the boundaries of sustainable agriculture by closing the carbon cycle and eliminating reliance on non-renewable resources. If successful, his model could serve as a blueprint for other farms and research institutions looking to minimize their environmental impact.
The details
At the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Beck is aiming to take no-till farming to the next level by achieving a net zero use of geologic carbon, which includes both soil organic matter and fossil fuels. This involves recycling all nutrients that are not sold, replacing what is sold, and producing renewable energy such as wind or biofuel to power farm operations and replace fossil fuel use.
- Beck has set a goal of achieving net zero fossil fuel use and carbon leakage by the year 2026.
The players
Dwayne Beck
A botanist at South Dakota State University who specializes in no-till systems and crop rotation effects, and manages the Dakota Lakes Research Farm.
Dakota Lakes Research Farm
A research farm located in Pierre, South Dakota, where Beck is attempting to take no-till farming to new levels of profitability and sustainability.
What they’re saying
“No-till is not about a lack of tillage, it's about carbon management. Not doing tillage is only the beginning.”
— Dwayne Beck, Botanist, Dakota Lakes Research Farm
“Our goal at Dakota Lakes Research Farm is to take all net geologic carbon use out of our system by the year 2026. Geologic carbon is soil organic matter, and geologic carbon is fossil fuel. If I'm going to make fossil fuels at the expense of soil organic matter, it's not a win, it's just a trade.”
— Dwayne Beck, Botanist, Dakota Lakes Research Farm
What’s next
Beck and his team will continue their research and implementation efforts at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm to achieve their goal of net zero fossil fuel use and carbon leakage by 2026.
The takeaway
Dwayne Beck's ambitious approach at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm demonstrates how no-till farming can be taken to new levels of sustainability by focusing on comprehensive carbon management, nutrient recycling, and the production of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. If successful, this model could inspire other farms and research institutions to pursue similar goals.
