Veteran No-Till Farmer Shares Keys to Overcoming Challenges

Tracy Eriksen has been no-tilling his 2,700-acre farm in eastern Washington for 35 years.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:28am

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones depicting the complex geometric patterns and intersecting waveforms of the Palouse region's loess soil structures, conveying the fragility and structural order of this delicate agricultural landscape.A veteran no-till farmer's decades-long battle to preserve the Palouse region's fragile soils through innovative conservation practices.Palouse Today

Tracy Eriksen, a 35-year no-till veteran farming 2,700 acres in eastern Washington's Palouse region, has seen dramatic changes in weather, crops, and equipment over the decades. Eriksen realized early on that traditional tillage practices were eroding the region's deep, wind-deposited loess soils, so he transitioned to 100% no-till to preserve the land for future generations.

Why it matters

The Palouse Hills are known for their deep, fertile soils, but also for high winds and erosion that have threatened the region's farmland for generations. Eriksen's long-term commitment to no-till provides valuable insights for other growers in the area looking to adopt more sustainable practices and protect their topsoil.

The details

Eriksen started no-tilling in the early 1970s after recognizing that traditional tillage was causing severe soil erosion on his family's multi-generational farm. Over the past 35 years, he has fine-tuned his no-till system to overcome challenges like residue management, weed control, and adapting to changing weather patterns in the region.

  • Eriksen started no-tilling in the early 1970s.
  • Eriksen has been no-tilling for 35 years.

The players

Tracy Eriksen

A 35-year no-till veteran farming 2,700 acres in eastern Washington's Palouse region.

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What they’re saying

“Tradition is a powerful aspect of farming; one I've found still has the power to hold me back from time to time. I figured out early on in my farming career, however, that tradition might just be the end of us as farmers in the Palouse Hills.”

— Tracy Eriksen, Farmer

The takeaway

Eriksen's decades-long commitment to no-till farming in the Palouse region demonstrates how innovative conservation practices can help protect fragile soils and preserve farmland for the future, even in the face of entrenched tradition.