MN Soil Health Coalition

Oak Savanna and Silvopasture Volunteer Day
2021-10-14 14:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Thursday, October 14 | 2-6 PM | Howard Lake
Get hands on with silvopasture and oak savanna restoration at Living Song Farm! This event is tailored for volunteers to help a farmer transition some acres to a silvopasture oak savanna system. Volunteers will get experience planting oaks, spreading prairie/oak savanna seed, pulling buckthorn, and learning about silvopasture and oak savanna restoration. There will also be discussion on grazing and fencing.
This is a family-friendly event. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary, tools and training provided. Find more details and registration here.
Sponsored by Great River Greening, co-sponsored by SFA, the University of Minnesota Extension, and CINRAM.

Minnesota Soil Health Coalition Board Meeting
2021-10-05 10:00 - 12:00
We meet at the Pizza Ranch in Redwood Falls, MN the first Tuesday of every month from 10AM-12PM.

Economics of Soil Health Systems on 100 Farms
2021-09-30 12:00 - 13:00
Farmers and ranchers are businesspeople, and the questions that often present the most significant barrier to the adoption of soil health management systems pertain to the business case. The Soil Health Institute interviewed 100 farmers in 9 states who have adopted soil health systems and used partial budget analysis to evaluate their economics and answer the following question: Do soil health practices increase or reduce profitability?
This webinar will provide an overview summary of the economics assessed across 100 farms and is supported through the generosity of Cargill.
Register at: https://soilhealthinstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9b2n2zxxSgu-XHFbLdQKnA

Soil Health Field Day
2021-09-30 09:00 - 12:00
Address: Jeff Koehn Farm
25737 County 8
Long Prairie, MN 56347

Free Meal Included

Agenda:

· 9:00 Introductions, purpose of meeting by Todd SWCD – Cover Crop grant
· 9:05 Grant Brietkreutz, General Soil Health, Integrating Livestock and Chemical precautions
· 10:15- Q & A and Soil Health Cover Crop/ Soil simulator compaction, water tests- Stretch your legs! Check out Jeff’s first time cover!
· 10:45-11:15- Osakis Creamery- Emily Middendorf and RJ Dykema- Local Soil Health Successes and Agassiz
· 11:15 Q & A for Osakis Creamery as long as interest holds up- can do some demos after as well.

Contact Mark Gutierrez at 505-980-1360 or Deja Anton at 320-732-2644 to register.

Field Day: Grazing and Forest Management as Regenerative Ag
2021-09-28 15:00 - 19:00
Time & Location

Sep 28, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Holm Girl’s Dairy, E10025 690th Ave, Elk Mound, WI 54739, USA

About the Event

Join us for a pasture walk with organic farmer and conservationist Mariann Holm. She will be covering pasture renewal, grazing as conservation, and grazing livestock on pasture with trees. NRCS staff will join us, and talk about how NRCS programs have benefitted Mariann’s farm. Connect with women farmer and landowners, and learn and see how soil regenerates through pasture rotation and renewal. Examples of interseeding to increase biomass through the NRCS CSP program, and tree harvest to improve woodlands, also supported through NRCS.

Box supper provided

Building Resiliency Webinar
2021-09-23 19:00 - 21:00
Join Gabe Brown and Shane New at 7 p.m. Central time on Thursday, Sept. 23 as they discuss the relationship between water, carbon and biology, in Understanding Ag’s “Building Resiliency” free webinar series.
Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_N4t8_Ql9RCuv0DpEiBu1VA

Adaptive Grazing Field Day (Paynesville)
2021-09-21 15:00 - 19:00
This field day will focus on:
-Adaptive Grazing
-Fence and Water Infrastructure
-Bale Grazing

Registration required. Free and open to all!

Address: Voss Farms, 27725 Business 23 E Paynesville, MN 56362

Farmer Info Sessions
2021-09-12 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-08-30 18:00 - 19:30
Calling all farmers!

Join us for an open house at Big River Farms to learn more about our education and land-based farmer training program. We will have applications available at the sessions for the 2022 season. Interpretation will be provided if requested within two weeks of the session dates. Please share widely with anyone who might be interested.

Choose from two dates:

Monday, Aug. 30th from 6-7:30pm
Sunday, Sept. 12th from 10am-12pm

Please RSVP to BRF’s Education Manager KaZoua Berry at kberry@thefoodgroupmn.org (also cc-ed here) or 651-504-8105.

Reply to the Facebook event page here: https://fb.me/e/14vdk8wRr

Hemp, Healthy Foods, and Healthy Soils
2021-09-11 09:00 - 15:00
Interested in Hemp, Healthy foods and Healthy soils?
Following Soil Health School on September 11, we will have a special free event on Tom Cotter’s farm covering hemp, healthy foods, and healthy soil!
Topics include:

Hemp Health
Nurse Overview
Growing Natural (Farmers Market/CSA)
Environment +Soil+Water
LSP Connect

Hazelnut Field Day
2021-09-10 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for an in-person hazelnut field day on September 10 at 1:00-3:00 PM at the Central Lakes College Ag and Energy Center (located on the Staples, MN campus).

Current trials underway at the Staples site include 1) a nitrogen fertilization trial that was planted in fall 2012, which has been producing nuts since 2016; 2) a germplasm performance trial started in 2017; and 3) a new nitrogen fertilization trial started in 2019. The oldest of these plantings has been producing nuts since 2016. Some nuts may still be on the bushes at the time of the field day and may be picked by field day participants.

Come learn about hazelnuts from:
Lois Braun, the University of Minnesota’s hazelnut breeder, will lead a tour through the established productive hazelnut planting to teach about planting, caring for, and harvesting hazelnuts. Braun will also demonstrate planting of new hazelnut potted plants.

Connie Carlson, Forever Green Market Opportunity Development Specialist, will discuss current market efforts for Midwest hazelnuts to help existing and potential growers understand their opportunities for participating in this market.
Come, enjoy the day, learn about and pick hazelnuts, and meet others in your area that are learning about and experimenting with hazelnut production.

Attendance is free, but-pre-registration is required to receive location specifics and updates
Register at this link: z.umn.edu/Hazelnutfieldday21

Minnesota Soil Health School 2021
2021-09-09 - 2021-09-10
Minnesota Soil Health School
Minnesota Soil Health School is back for a second year this September 9th and 10th! This 2-day event features on-farm and classroom learning from farmers and technical staff.
What you will learn:

Soil Health Principles
Cover crop options and uses
How to Assess Your Soil
Tillage
Soil Biology
Temporary Fencing
Agronomics
Landowner Relationships
Economics
Hemp
Integrating livestock

Cost is $101/person for non-members, $79/person for MN Soil Health Coalition members (Not a member? Sign up here!), and $50/person for students. Each additional registrant from the same operation has a reduced fee of $75/each.
Accommodations
Participants are responsible for securing lodging. Please ask for the Soil Health Coalition Block when making reservations:
Holiday Inn
1701 4th St NW
Austin, MN 55912
507.433.1000
Interested in hemp, healthy foods, and healthy soils? Join us for a special FREE event on September 11. Details here.

2021 BENTON SWCD & NRCS ANNUAL CONSERVATION TOUR OF PRACTICE
2021-09-08 09:30 - 16:00
2021 BENTON SWCD & NRCS ANNUAL
CONSERVATION TOUR OF PRACTICE
Wednesday, September 8TH, 2021
From 9:30 AM TO 4:00 PM
The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural
Resources Conservation Service would like to invite you to attend
the Benton County 2021 Annual Conservation Tour .
HIGHLIGHTS!
wetland restoration project
feedlot project
vertical tillage demo
erosion control
cover crop/forage demonstration plot

We will meet at the USDA Service Center in Foley at 9:00 am.(address below) The bus
will leave promptly at 9:30 am. The tour will include a lunch. In order to get an
accurate count for the meal, a “yes” or “no” response is appreciated. The tour and
lunch are free of charge to participants, but you must register to attend. If you are
unable to make it to the Tour you can send other representative in your place.
The registration deadline for the tour is Monday, August 30th, 2021. We will be
stopping at a number of sites so be sure to dress for the weather and terrain. Please
call Renee Thell at the Benton SWCD at (320) – 968-5300 ext. 3 or by e-mail at
Renee.Thell@mn.nacdnet.net to register for the tour.
We hope to see you there!
wetland restoration project
feedlot project
vertical tillage demo
erosion control
cover crop/forage demonstration plot
2021 BENTON SWCD & NRCS ANNUAL
CONSERVATION TOUR OF PRACTICE
Wednesday, September 8TH, 2021
From 9:30 AM TO 4:00 PM
The Benton Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural
Resources Conservation Service would like to invite you to attend
the Benton County 2021 Annual Conservation Tour .
HIGHLIGHTS!
14 2nd Ave W Foley, MN 56329
320-968-5300 ext 3

eXtension webinar - Preparing your poultry flock for winter
2021-09-07 15:00 - 16:00
BEFORE winter arrives it is important to make sure your flock is ready to handle it. Colleen Carlson from the University of Minnesota will discuss preparing your flock for winter
https://uky.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oMEl3hbDTXqnN_ggwc90kg

Soil Health Field Demonstration
2021-09-01 17:00 - 19:00
Date: September 1, 2021 Time: 5 pm — 7 pm
Location: 39621 150th Street, Waseca
(located across the road from Jason’s Building Site)
Farmer Host: Jason Norton
Reduce soil erosion from heavy rains & wind, reduce soil compaction, increase soil organic matter, improve water infiltration —> INCREASE SOIL PRODUCTIVITY
Food provided
Please Register at https://forms.gle/pvVg72SeA32AM8Z48

Select, Save, & Sell Regionally Adapted Varieties on Your Farm
2021-09-01 15:00 - 18:00
Register today to join OSA and Riverbend Farm for the Midwest Regional Seeds Field Day on September 1st in Delano, Minnesota. Learn how seed saving farmers make selections to improve or maintain crop varieties, and how working with seed companies and universities can strengthen your operation.
Topics and demonstrations will include region-specific seed saving techniques, useful tools for both small-scale and wholesale seed growers, and more. See how regionally adapted seed varieties are bred by and for organic farmers.
DATE | September 1st
TIME | 3:00–6:00 p.m.
PLACE | Riverbend Farm, 5405 Calder Ave SE, Delano, MN
COST | Free of charge – register at https://seedalliance.org/events/midwest-regional-seeds-field-day/?emci=e1499d65-d7fa-eb11-b563-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=4091c9fa-dbfa-eb11-b563-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=7227985

Soil Stewardship & Nutrient Management Field Day
2021-09-01 09:30 - 14:30
Wednesday, September 1st
9:30AM-2:30PM
Registration: Free; RSVP REQUIRED
Location: See map below
​ABOUT:
The agenda includes presentations on soil health, 4Rs of nutrient and manure management, ag data stewardship; a farmer panel, and equipment demonstration.

Photo by: Fauna Creative/Jason Whalen

AGENDA:
9:30AM – Registration & Refreshments
​10:00AM – 12:00PM – Morning Presentations

Soil Health & Conservation Innovation Grant – Anna Cates, University of Minnesota – Extension

4R Certification – Amy Robak – Centra Sota, Peter Mead – The Nature Conservancy

4R’s of Manure Management – Chryseis Modderman – University of Minnesota – Extension

Data Stewardship Platforms – Leif Fixen – The Nature Conservancy

​12:00PM – Lunch
​12:30PM – Farmer Panel

Hear from local farmers on their experiences with implementing soil health practices

​1:00pm-2:30PM – Equipment Demonstrations

Bazooka Low Disturbance Manure Applicator

Low Disturbance Manure Toolbar with John Deere Sensor

Kuhn Krause Strip-Till with MonTag Dry Fertilizer

John Deere No-Till Drill

Dawn Strip-Till Unit on a John Deere toolbar with MonTag Dry Fertilizer

Soil Warrior Strip-Till

Modified Three Point Drill for interseeding cover crops into corn

Directions

PGRs and Biostimulants: What Are They, How Do They Affect Plants, and What Are Their Possibilities and Limitations?
2021-08-31 12:00 - 13:00
WATCH LIVE OR LATER!
Registration for a webinar includes access to the live webinar and a link to a recording of the webinar.
The recording link will be emailed to you and will be available approximately one week from the scheduled date.
This link will be valid for 30 days and can only be used by the registrant.
Webinars are delivered via GoToWebinar. Click on a title below for more information.

PGRs and Biostimulants: What Are They, How Do They Affect Plants, and What Are Their Possibilities and Limitations?

An American Society of Agronomy webinar sponsored by Verdesian Life Sciences.
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Time: 12:00 Noon-1:00 PM Eastern/11:00 AM-12:00 Noon Central/10:00-11:00 AM Mountain/9:00-10:00 AM Pacific
This webinar will begin with a review of basic plant growth hormone groups and their functions in plants. The webinar will then cover what plant growth regulators (PGRs) and biostimulants are and how they differ from innate plant compounds. Potential uses, benefits, and limitations will then be discussed.
Speaker: Lee Briese, Crop Consultant and Certified Crop Adviser, Centrol Ag Consulting
Lee Briese is a Crop Consultant for Centrol Ag Consulting in central North Dakota. He provides agronomic advice that helps farmers build customized systems to profitably grow and manage crops. He specializes in helping growers adopt practices to protect and improve their soil and local environment. He is a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and has served as Chair of the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) Board. Lee earned a B.S. degree in Crop and Weed Science from Dickinson State University, a M.S. degree in Soil Science from North Dakota State University, and a D.P.H. degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
CEUs:
CCA/CPAg: 1.0 Crop Management
CPSS/CPSC: 1.0 Professional Meetings
FREE to all registrants. Register Now!
Registration for the webinar includes access to the live webinar and to the recording.

2021 Sand Plain Research Farm Irrigation and Nutrient Management Field Day
2021-08-30 16:00 - 19:00
Learn about recent irrigation and nutrient management research at the Sand Plain Research Farm in central Minnesota

About this event

The 2021 Sand Plain Research Farm Irrigation and Nutrient Management Field Day will take place on Monday, August 30th from 4-7:30pm. This event is free and dinner will be provided. Registration is required. Please register by August 20th.
The Sand Plain Research Farm (SPRF) is a unique coarse textured-soil site in central Minnesota featuring irrigated and non-irrigated agronomic research. The current SPRF research site includes 345 acres of cropland. Of that, 290 acres are irrigated. The landbase is outfitted with eight irrigation systems (three laterals and five center pivots). All three of the lateral irrigation systems and one of the center pivot systems are equipped with variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology.
Presentations:

Vasudha Sharma, Ph.D. – Irrigation management strategies for profitable corn production and water quality protection in Minnesota Central Sands
Yuxin Miao Ph.D. – Proximal and remote sensing technologies for corn nitrogen and water stress detection
Carl Rosen, Ph.D. – Interactive effects of nitrogen and bio stimulants on potato yield and nitrogen use efficiency
Fabian Fernandez, Ph.D. – Strategies to improve nitrogen use by corn in irrigated sands
Leanna Leverich, MS – Reassessing corn K fertility guidelines using mineralogical soil properties

Directions:
The Sand Plain Research Farm is near 16491 157th Street Southeast, Big Lake, MN 55309. From the intersection of Hwy 10 and Minnesota County Road 11, proceed south to 157th Street SE and turn left. Travel 100 yards and prepare to turn left. Look for signs.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Vasu Sharma (email: vasudha@umn.edu; voice message: 612-626-4986)
Funders
Thanks to the Irrigators Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment for funding this event.

How to Make Cover Crops Work for You - Webinar
2021-08-25 14:00 - 15:00
Wondering what the common starting errors are when adopting cover crops — and how you can avoid them? Join Indigo Ag on Wednesday, August 25 at 2 p.m. CT for a webinar, “Profitability Strategies: How to Make Cover Crops Work for You.” Sign up here.
During this webinar, you will hear from soil health expert Steven Mirsky from the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Indigo agronomist Darrin Unruh on tips and tricks to avoid common errors. This event will also cover:

Tools and techniques for setting yourself up for success with beneficial farming practices.
An introduction to Carbon by Indigo, a program that connects farmers to organizations looking to purchase verified agricultural carbon credits.

Join Indigo Ag for this insightful webinar to learn simple solutions to common cover crop challenges. Sign up for free now.

2021 SUSTAINABLE AGRONOMY CONFERENCE VIRTUAL EVENT & CONSERVATION IN ACTION TOUR SERIES
2021-08-24 11:00 - 13:00
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2021

Growing a Regenerative Crop Production System
11:00 AM-1:00 PM CT
CEU Category: 1.0 in Crop Management, 1.0 in Professional Development or 2.0 in Sustainability
Part 1: Exploring the Future of Regenerative and Organic Crop Production
Moderator – Kelly Murray Young, Field to Market
Speakers – Clint Pilcher, Corteva, Mallory Krieger, Organic Agronomy Training Service, and Anders Gurda, Organic Agronomy Training Service
Part 2: Connecting for Conservation
Moderator – Steve Werblow, Conservation Technology Information Center
Speakers – Linda Prokopy, Purdue University, TBD, Farmer, TBD, Certified Crop Adviser, and TBD, Sand County Foundation

Demystifying Regenerative Grazing and Soil Health with Dr. Allen Williams: Virtual
2021-08-24 10:00 - 15:00
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) will host a two-part workshop in August for ag professionals, educators, and mentor farmers to provide information and hands-on training on regenerative grazing, soil health, and monitoring. NCAT soil and livestock specialists will be joined by Dr. Allen Williams of Understanding Ag, LLC. to lead these workshops. The first workshop is virtual.

Registration Link: www.ncat.org/events/

Food Safety Field Day: Composting, Livestock & Produce & Packshed Design
2021-08-24 09:30 - 12:30
Join UMN Extension, UMASH, MDA and your fellow farmers for a field day at Maple Ridge Produce focused on compost and packsheds for produce farms. Speakers include a veterinarian, public health and food safety experts and seasoned farmers.

Topics will include safely integrating livestock and manure in produce operations to improve soil health while also reducing potential for contamination. We will also take a deep-dive into packshed design including tips on low-cost hacks and improvements for postharvest handling, including how to build low-cost spray tables, dunk tanks and repurposing equipment safely and effectively to improve product quality and safety.

All participants leave with a food safety kit for packsheds including spray bottles and cleaning brushes.

This event hosted by University of Minnesota Extension, Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Farmers Union, and Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota – Greater Mille Lacs Chapter.

Methods of Pastured Pork and Poultry Production field day
2021-08-21 09:00 - 15:30
You’re invited to join SFA and two Driftless region farms for a free Methods of Pastured Pork and Poultry Production Field Day on August 21, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m!
We will visit these two farms raising pastured pork and poultry in a couple of different ways. These methods can provide opportunity for a variety of farmers in a variety of land contexts. We’ll also discuss direct marketing strategies.
The first stop will be Nettle Valley Farm in Spring Grove. Farmers Dayna Burtness and Nick Nguyen will give us a tour, featuring a pastured pork wagon wheel hub model and pastured meat chickens and turkeys. Dayna was also featured in last week’s episode of Dirt Rich.
After lunch, the field day continues at Wholesome Family Farms in Caledonia, Minnesota. Jordan and Rachelle Meyer will demonstrate their mobile pastured pork setup and pastured laying hens. The Meyers also raise grass-finished beef, goats, and other poultry.
The field day is free and open to all! Farmers marketing grass-finished beef, for example, may find benefit in adding other pastured livestock to their operation because they already have a customer base that’s interested in pasture-raised meat. This could allow you to start additional enterprises without adding additional marketing costs.
Fruit and vegetable growers may also be interested in attending. Pastured pork and poultry can be a viable method to add the fifth principle of soil health, “Integrating Livestock,” into your soil health practices.
We hope you can make it! Registration is encouraged for planning purposes and to ensure a lunch. Walkups are also welcome. REGISTER.

Pricing corn silage
2021-08-20 12:00 - 13:00
Learn about how to negotiate a fair price when buying or selling corn silage.
Ryan Sterry, from the University of Wisconsin Extension, will discuss general guidelines on how to price corn silage and demonstrate a new interactive smartphone app that allows you to use your own information to determine a more accurate value.
For more information contact:

Minnesota: Jim Salfer, 612-360-4506
Iowa: Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230
South Dakota: Heidi Carroll, 605-688-6623

Audience

Dairy and beef farmers
Industry professionals

Cost
Free
Registration
Pre-registration is required.

Central sands research farm hosting free field day August 19
2021-08-19 09:30 - 13:00
The Rosholt Research Farm Field Day will take place on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 9:30am to 1pm. The event is free and lunch will be provided, but registration is required (link below).
Research at the Rosholt Research Farm addresses regional issues and agricultural practices that are typical in the central sands region of Minnesota. The farm’s sandy soil and need for supplemental irrigation typifies the challenges that many producers face on the outwash sands of west-central and central Minnesota. Data collection started in 2011 and the work has since been expanded to several additional research projects.
At the field day, you’ll learn about:

Nitrogen Management for Corn in Irrigated Sands: Where does the applied N go and what can be done to improve its efficient use? – Fabián G. Fernández, Ph.D., Nutrient management specialist, University of Minnesota Extension
Irrigation Management for Profitable Crop Production and Water Quality Protection – Vasudha Sharma, Ph.D., Irrigation specialist, University of Minnesota Extension
Kernza: A New Perennial Grain Crop to Improve Drinking Water Quality – Jacob M. Jungers, PhD, Assistant Professor Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota
Adding Value to Kernza: An Update on AURI’s Efforts to Identify Processing Methods and Early Supply Chain & Market Opportunities for Kernza in Minnesota – Riley Gordon, AURI Engineer

There will also be booths by partner agencies. Lunch will be prepared by Minnewaska Meats. The Rosholt Research Farm is located at 910 Old Highway 28, Villard, Minnesota, 56385.
Register online or call Holly Kovarik (District Manager, Pope SWCD) at 320-634-5327 to reserve your spot
Funding for the work at the Rosholt Research Farm has been provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Minnesota’s Agricultural Research and Education Council (AFREC), and the Clean Water Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.
The Rosholt Research Farm is a partnership between University of Minnesota Extension, Pope Soil and Water Conservation District, Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District, Forever Green, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Soil Health Field Day with Ray Archuleta at Red Rooster Ranch
2021-08-18 08:30 - 15:30
On Wednesday, August 18, nationally renowned soil health presenter Ray Archuleta will be joining Mervin Beachy at Red Rooster Ranch in St. Ansgar, Iowa, for a special field day. Join us for a full-day (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) experience guaranteed to further your knowledge of soil health.
Come for:

Soil health demonstrations.
Break-out sessions with local farmers to discuss roller crimping, cover crops, and more.
Presentations from soil health expert Ray Archuleta.

For more information and to RESERVE A SPOT for this field day, visit https://landstewardshipproject.org/events/item/1644.
Cost: $30 for single ticket, $50 for household; lunch provided!
For more information or with questions, contact LSP’s Maura Curry at mcurry@landstewardshipproject.org or 651-249-6308.
DIRECTIONS:

Red Rooster Ranch: 1247 430th Street ,St. Ansgar, IA 50472
The farm is northwest of St. Ansgar, Iowa, just off of Highway 105. The event will be marked with LSP signs.

These field days are part of a series being put on by the Lewiston office of the Land Stewardship Project. For information on LSP’s Soil Builders’ Network, see landstewardshipproject.org/lspsoilbuilders.

2021 SUSTAINABLE AGRONOMY CONFERENCE VIRTUAL EVENT & CONSERVATION IN ACTION TOUR SERIES
2021-08-17 11:00 - 13:00
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

Protecting Pollinators and Managing Their Habitats
11:00 AM-1:00 PM CT
CEU Category: 2.0 in Integrated Pest Management or 2.0 in Sustainability
Part 1: Leveraging IPM for Pollinator Protection and Sustainable Crop Management
Moderator – Jerome Pier, Western Region Certified Crop Adviser Program
Speakers – Caydee Savinelli, Syngenta and Stephanie Darnell, BASF
Part 2: Protecting Pollinators and Building Biodiversity on the Farm Landscape
Moderator – Steve Werblow, Conservation Technology Information Center
Speakers – TBD Farmer, TBD Beekeeper, Ana Heck, Michigan State University Extension, Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University Extension, TBD, Corteva Agriscience, TBD, Keystone and Dale Thorenson, Assistant Director, U.S. Canola Association

Cover Crops Field Day
2021-08-17 08:30 - 13:00
Plan to attend Cover Crops: Setting up for Success on August 17 at the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton. Check-in starts at 8:30 AM and the program will run 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with lunch included. Plan to arrive on-time as a field tour of cover crop research trials will commence promptly at the start of the event, weather permitting. The event will be held, rain or shine.

While cover crops have the potential to provide many benefits, they are currently planted on a limited number of acres in Minnesota. The field day will highlight U of MN research that provides guidance to help farmers successfully incorporate cover crops into Minnesota cropping systems.
Program details
Attendees will learn about the latest cover crop research results and management considerations, the potential role of cover crops in carbon markets, and how various cover crops perform when planted in the summer. The program is for farmers, with or without cover crop experience, and for anyone who works with farmers and would like to learn more about cover crops.

Tour stops and topics include:

Interseeding cover crops in corn
Summer seeding / prevent plant options
Planting green / termination trial
Cover crops and residual herbicides
Cover crops and carbon sequestration
NCR-SARE resources and opportunities

Speakers include:

Professor Jay Norton, Extension Soils Specialist / Director U of Wyoming Soil Resource Laboratory
Axel Garcia y Garcia, Assoc. Prof. / Sust. Crop Systems Specialist, Dept. Agronomy and Plant Genetics, SWROC, Lamberton
Ethan Ley, Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
Gregg Johnson, Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, SROC, Waseca
Liz Stahl, Extension Educator – Crops, Worthington Regional Extension Office
Wayne Martin, Extension Educator – Alternative Livestock Systems / MN SARE State Co-Coordinator

Cost and registration
There is no cost to attend, thanks to sponsorship from Minnesota North Central Region-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (MN NCR-SARE).

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged by August 11 for planning purposes at https://z.umn.edu/covercropfieldday. Later registrations and walk-ins are still welcome but timely registration is required to ensure a meal.
For further details and to register, go to Cover crops: Setting up for success.

Timely Goat and Sheep Webinar on Preparing for the Breeding Season
2021-08-12 19:30 - 21:00
Cologne, Minn. (8/4/2021) — As the breeding season approaches there are a series of management procedures and techniques that can be used to ensure the season is a success.
The University of Minnesota Extension is hosting a webinar on Thursday, August 12th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to discuss management strategies to assist goat and sheep farmers to properly prepare for the breeding season this fall.
Proper management and attention to the health of the goat herd or sheep flock during the breeding season will be the focus of this webinar. Farmers, 4-Hers, veterinarians, nutritionists and ag business professionals who work with farmers and those interested in goats or sheep are invited to attend.
Kyle Rozeboom, Livestock Specialist at the University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science, will lead an informative discussion about sheep and goat breeds, crossbreeding, facilities, flushing, ram to ewe and buck to doe ratio, breeding soundness of rams and bucks along with helpful tools for marking breeding animals. Proper timing of breeding and lambing/kidding dates to hit target marketing opportunities will be covered. Attendees will have the opportunity to generate more in-depth discussion by asking questions about the topics most pertinent to their own operations.
Pre-registration is required. Register at:https://z.umn.edu/GoatSheepBreed
The Zoom link will be emailed to you immediately after you register. If you are unable to attend the live session, you will receive the recording via email. Any questions please contact: Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu or Colleen Carlson at traxl042@umn.edu
