Conservation tillage involves cultivating the soil in a manner that leaves the previous year's crop residue on the fields. Different methods are available, including no-till, strip-till, ridge-till, and mulch-till. Conservation tillage can reduce soil erosion by as much as 60–90%, increase soil organic matter, improve infiltration, reduce runoff, and reduce evaporation at the soil surface. Conservation tillage also saves time and money, reduces soil compaction, improves water quality, optimizes soil moisture, and enhances the activity and diversity of soil organisms, which help prevent pests and disease problems and subsequently reduce the need for pesticides. 

No-till
No-till practices leave the soil mostly or completely undisturbed. Between 60–100% of the residue from the previous crop remains on the field. 

Strip-till 
Strip-till involves tilling soil only in narrow strips with the rest of the field left undisturbed. 

Ridge-till
When crops are planted on permanent ridges (usually 4–6 inches tell), the previous crop residue can be tilled off the ridgetops and into adjacent furrows to clear the ridges for the next crop.

Mulch-till
Mulch-till refers to any other conservation tillage method that leaves at least one third of the soil surface covered with crop residue.