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Jackson Today
By the People, for the People
Tennessee Farmer Shares No-Till Lessons After 15 Years
Allen Verell credits National No-Till Conference for helping him transition his family's 2,500-acre farm to successful continuous no-till practices.
Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:50am
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An abstract visualization of the natural forces and scientific principles that enable successful no-till farming practices to take root and thrive.Jackson TodayAllen Verell, a farmer in Jackson, Tennessee, has been no-tilling his 2,500-acre cotton, corn, and soybean operation for the past 15 years. Verell credits attending the National No-Till Conference in 1993 as a pivotal moment that led him to experiment with no-till practices on his highly erodible land, eventually convincing his father to fully embrace the approach and never look back.
Why it matters
No-till farming has been shown to significantly reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and increase crop yields over time. Verell's story demonstrates how educational events like the National No-Till Conference can inspire farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, even in challenging environments like the hilly terrain of western Tennessee.
The details
Prior to no-tilling, Verell's family would work the soil three to four times each spring, leading to significant soil loss through erosion. After attending the first National No-Till Conference in 1993, Verell convinced his father to let him experiment with no-till on 200 acres of cotton. While his father's yields initially beat Verell's, by the third year Verell's no-till cotton out-produced his father's tilled fields, leading the elder Verell to fully embrace the practice across their entire 2,500-acre operation.
- Verell attended the first National No-Till Conference in Indianapolis in 1993.
- Verell started no-tilling 200 acres of cotton in 1994.
- By the third year of no-tilling, Verell's yields out-produced his father's tilled fields.
The players
Allen Verell
A farmer in Jackson, Tennessee who has been no-tilling his 2,500-acre cotton, corn, and soybean operation for the past 15 years.
John Verell
Allen Verell's father, who was initially skeptical of no-till farming but eventually embraced the practice across their entire 2,500-acre operation.
What they’re saying
“I can trace a lot of what I've learned about no-tilling directly back to attending the National No-Till Conference.”
— Allen Verell, Farmer
The takeaway
Verell's story demonstrates how educational events like the National No-Till Conference can inspire farmers to adopt more sustainable practices, even in challenging environments. By transitioning to no-till, Verell was able to significantly improve the health and productivity of his family's highly erodible farmland in western Tennessee.
