Benton Farms between Selma and Montgomery on Hwy 80 (once the largest cotton farm in the state) was founded by the grandfather of the two current operators. He came to the area and found a lot of "worn out" dirt. He planted vetch and then turned it under when it got big to restore some organic matter to the soil. I probably have some of these facts a little off, and I'm sure 257 will be along directly to clarify.
The patriarch claimed the vetch improved the soil tremendously. His grandson's were also pioneers of the no-till movement in the Central Alabama area.
As to your second question, yes. Managing the soil health is as important as anything else we do. Farmers (good ones anyway) are extremely interested and involved in the soil health on their farms. We should be too if we want the maximum return (bigger, healthier deer) from our lease investment.
