David W. Brandt

David W. Brandt was a trailblazer in no-till and cover crops, dedicated to improving soil health and conservation. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Brandt began as the farm manager at Dogwood Lane Farms. His innovative no-till farming began in 1971, planting corn directly into sod with a four-row AC planter. This laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to healthy soils.

Brandt also served as a district technician for the Fairfield County SWCD and as a consultant for the Washington County SWCD, focusing on farmer-to-farmer education to reduce erosion and increase production. He was a founding member of Understanding Ag Consulting and the Soil Health Academy, where he served as president from 2017-2019. His farm was a USDA-ARS demonstration site for water quality monitoring, showcasing significant reductions in sediment and nutrient runoff due to continuous no-till and cover crops.

Brandt received numerous accolades, including the Ohio Conservation Farmer Award and the No-Till Innovator Award. Nationally, he was recognized by the U.S. EPA and USDA. Brandt’s generosity, willingness to share knowledge, and leadership by example have left a lasting impact, inspiring countless farmers to invest in their soils to ensure the long-term health and productivity of agricultural lands.