MN Soil Health Coalition

FARMING FOR THE FUTURE: ECOSYSTEM MARKETS
2021-06-22 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago)
Join the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership and organizations from Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin for a free four-part webinar series exploring new management options and financial opportunities for Midwest farmers. The series will provide farmers and their advisors with practical and straightforward information on innovative incentives.
Each webinar has been approved for 1.5 hrs CEU in Soil & Water Management.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22ND FEATURES PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FROM INPUT PROVIDERS (BAYER, CORTEVA, AND NUTRIEN)

THURSDAY, JUNE 24TH EXPLORES INNOVATIVE MARKETS AND DATA PLATFORMS AVAILABLE FROM CIBO, GRADABLE BY FARMERS BUSINESS NETWORK, AND LAND O’LAKES

TUESDAY, JULY 13TH EXAMINES MARKET OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH THE LENS OF GRAIN BUYERS AND CONSUMER PACKAGED GOODS COMPANIES WITH CARGILL, GENERAL MILLS, AND PEPSICO

THURSDAY, JULY 15TH HIGHLIGHTS WATER QUALITY MARKETS AND ADDITIONAL POTENTIAL REVENUE STREAMS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

SROC Virtual Agronomy Field Tour Tuesday, June 22
2021-06-22 10:00 - 11:00
The UMN Southern Research & Outreach Center (SROC) in Waseca will hold a Virtual Agronomy Field Tour on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 from 10 a.m. to noon. This webinar will give participants a look at several current research projects at the SROC and will include a question and answer opportunities.
The webinar is free, but participants must pre-register online at z.umn.edu/SROC-Agronomy_Field_Tour. An email address is required to register, and participants can join the webinar from a computer, tablet or phone.
Research topics covered by University of Minnesota faculty and researchers at the Virtual Agronomy Field Tour include:

Early season soybean growth and development in a tough year – Seth Naeve
Corn stand establishment, growth, and development – Jeff Coulter
Strategies for managing the changing HG Types of the soybean cyst nematode – Senyu Chen
Evaluation of weed management systems in a dry spring – Tom Hoverstad
Nitrogen management on poorly drained soils – Fabian Fernandez
Do high fertilizer and commodity prices affect fertilizer rate guidelines? – Jeff Vetsch

There is no cost for this event, however donations are greatly appreciated. If you’d like to make a donation in support of research at the U of M, Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca: z.umn.edu/sroc-gift.
To request accommodations, contact Deanne Nelson at nelso191@umn.edu or 507-835-3620.

Northern Soil Compaction Conference
2021-06-22 09:00 - 2021-06-23 13:00
Every operation on agricultural fields has the risk to cause compaction and drag down your yields and profit. Making each pass work for you is essential for maximizing your crop productivity year after year.
Join us at the Northern Soil Compaction Conference on June 22-23, 2021, for the latest in technical advice for alleviating your current compaction, building proven strategies to minimize your risk in the future, and the benefits you can expect.
This event is co-sponsored by University of Minnesota Extension, North Dakota State University and Manitoba Ag.

Cost
The cost to attend this two-day conference is $50.
Registration
Please use the link below to register for this event.

Register online

2021 Sustainable Agronomy Conference Virtual Event & Conservation in Action Tour
2021-06-20
July 20 & 27, August 3, 10, 17, & 24
FREE TO ALL!
*Conference registration includes access to all session recordings through October 24*
6 Two-Hour Sessions > One Per Week > Starting July 20 = 12 CEUs
The Sustainable Agronomy Conference will provide Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs), Agri-Sales Professionals, and growers with the opportunity to more fully understand and implement sustainable agronomy in the field. Learn the drivers, economics, agronomics, environmental benefits, and implementation techniques of sustainable crop production. Economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainable agronomy will be considered.
This year’s Sustainable Agronomy Conference includes a four-part virtual Conservation in Action Tour by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). Each of the four tours will include a video from the field that includes interviews with farmers, CCAs, researchers and other experts, followed by a live panel discussion/Q&A. Tune in and find out why the CTIC Conservation in Action Tour has become such a popular way to learn about conservation practices on the ground.
Unlike other sustainability or agronomy conferences that simply describe broad research findings, this conference will be action-oriented, practical, interactive, and applied with a focus on decision support and execution. You will leave the conference with information that you can confidently recommend to clients and implement in the field. Speakers, moderators, and panel participants will have a deep understanding of “why” and “how” to implement sustainable agronomy.

Guiding Resilience: A Legal Workshop for Ag Service Providers
2021-06-17 13:00 - 14:00
Guiding Resilience

Rice, Wolf, Heath Creek cover crop expansion meeting
2021-06-15 17:00 - 19:00
Share tile drainage/stream results. Explain cover crop expansion effort(Bridgewater Cover Crop Adoption
Project)
Location: L&M Bar & Grill, Rice County

HYBRID RYE FIELD DAY
2021-06-15 13:00 - 15:00
FEATURING KWS HYBRID RYE AT HENNEN SEEDS, LLC.
JUNE 15, 2021 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
1:00 PM–1:30 PM: Incorporating Hybrid Rye into Your Systems, Millborn Seeds
1:30 PM–2:00 PM: Agronomics of Hybrid Rye, KWS
2:00 PM–3:00 PM: Field Tour with Ice Cream
RSVP encouraged but not required. Please RSVP by calling
Amber Kraft at Millborn Seeds: 605-697-6306
FIELD IS LOCATED AT
3248 230TH AVE.
GHENT, MN 56239
FROM GHENT:
› Head east on 320th St for 2.5 mi
› Turn north onto 230th Ave for .5 mi
FROM HWY 59:
› Head west on 320th St for 2 mi
› Turn north onto 230th Ave for .5 mi

Winter Annual Oilseed Field Day to be held June 11 in Rosemount
2021-06-11 11:00 - 14:30
Winter Annual Oilseed Field Day to be held June 11 in Rosemount

ROSEMOUNT, MN – The University of Minnesota Forever Green Initiative invites manufacturers, food entrepreneurs, farmers, policy professionals, and the public to a Winter Annual Oilseeds Field Day event at the Rosemount Research and Outreach Center. At this event, attendees will learn about the latest research and development updates on pennycress and winter camelina, two exciting new crops which have the potential to transform the food, fuel and feed industries in the upper Midwest.
Pennycress and winter camelina, both winter annual oilseeds, have great potential for use as a cash cover crop to protect soil and water while providing economic benefits to farmers in the upper Midwest. Rapid advancements in pennycress and camelina genetics and breeding have allowed researchers to identify a wide range of end-uses, including healthy edible oils, novel plant proteins, biodegradable packaging materials, lubricants, biofuels, and animal feed. All of these products equate to additional economic opportunities for Midwest farmers. Oilseeds fit well behind short season crops such as silage corn, sunflower, and spring wheat. As the seedlings grow in the autumn, they protect the soil surface from erosion caused by high winds, intense rains, or snow melt. Additionally, the plants absorb soil nutrients, helping to eliminate nitrate and phosphorus contamination of ground and surface waters. Ultimately, the addition of these crops to upper Midwest farmland will assist in keeping well water safe for drinking and improve the quality of water in our wetlands, streams, rivers, and lakes.
The Winter Annual Oilseed Field Day will highlight current research and work underway to launch pennycress and winter camelina into Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. Visitors will see winter camelina growing in the field and learn from UMN agronomists about best production practices with this crop. The Forever Green Initiative Commercialization Team, Constance Carlson and Colin Cureton will discuss the many potential opportunities for end-uses of pennycress and camelina. Kent Cavender-Barres of Rowbot Technologies LLC will discuss opportunities for new robotic technologies to interseed oilseed crops. Finally, attendees will have the ability to participate in round-table discussions with each of our experts after their presentations.

Attendees should arrive between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM on June 11th to check in. A lunch (vegetarian option available) will be served from 11:30-12 PM. Presentations will begin at 12 PM, followed by a round table discussion from 1:00-2:30 PM. The event will be held rain or shine. All attendees are requested to register as early as possible prior to June 11. Space for the event is limited. Register using the link below: http://z.umn.edu/oilseedday . For more information and disability accommodations, contact Katie Black at 701-400-9486 or e-mail her at black807@umn.edu.

This event is made possible by generous support from the Walton Family Foundation and IPREFER. Special thanks to PepsiCo for their generous donation for this event.

Guiding Resilience: A Legal Workshop for Ag Service Providers
2021-06-10 13:00 - 14:00

Farming with Soil Life Short Course - Midwest
2021-06-09 09:00 - 13:00
Healthy, living soil and its functions are created and maintained by fungi, bacteria, plants and by invertebrate animals as diverse as annelids, springtails, and firefly larvae, among others. Soil invertebrates are fundamental to soil health and create soil structure, cycle organic matter, consume weed seeds and prey on crop pests.
This online short course is intended for NRCS staff, Soil and Water Conservation staff, Extension Educators, farmers and other agricultural professionals. Participants will learn about common soil invertebrates, their ecology and roles in soil health, scouting methods, and management strategies to increase beneficial soil animal populations.
Online Course Learning Objectives:
a. Gain an expanded understanding of soil animal diversity, including the ability to recognize the 12 most common groups of soil macroinvertebrates and to describe their role in soil health
b. Have greater, in-depth exposure to the life cycles and ecology of soil invertebrates, including the ability to describe the basic life cycles of at least 12 invertebrate groups and their role in the food web
c. Receive training in how to recognize common groups of soil invertebrates, particularly those with agricultural importance, including the ability to describe basic invertebrate body parts and physical characteristics
d. Learn to conduct hands-on field scouting and sampling of soil animals to evaluate species diversity in agricultural settings. This training will guide them toward being able to carry out that same scouting and sampling independently after the course
e. Learn how invertebrate diversity may be used as a rough bioindicator of soil health, and learn to compare the diversity of soil animals across fields with differing management practices; be able to draw general conclusions about soil health based upon the invertebrate groups present in a soil sample
f. Understand practical, science-based strategies to help increase soil life abundance and diversity

Guiding Resilience: A Legal Workshop for Ag Service Providers
2021-06-03 13:00 - 14:00
Guiding Resilience

Agriculture professionals: Are the farmers and ranchers you work with asking you tough legal questions? Do you wish you knew how to get them answers?

Soil Health Nexus Digital Cafe Series
2021-05-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Webinar
Pathway to Resilient Soils to Achieve Optimum Productivity and Environmental Quality with Jerry Hatfield
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
2:00 PM CT

Soil health is the pathway to improved soil function with the goal of increasing soil water availability, nutrients, and support for the growing crop. The collective change in soil enhances the sustainability and resilience of agricultural systems. Tune in to hear from Jerry Hatfield, retired director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, as he discusses pathways to acheive optiumum productivity and environemtal quality in soils.

Register at https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvc-ipqjwqGdOkjsGp0kjDYwuoQ7t7f0-6

ECONOMICS OF SOIL HEALTH EVALUATED ON 100 FARMS BY THE SOIL HEALTH INSTITUTE AND CARGILL
2021-04-29 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Soil health systems increased net income for 85% of farmers growing corn and 88% growing soybean
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, Mar. 9, 2021 – Improving soil health can help farmers build drought resilience, increase nutrient availability, suppress diseases, reduce erosion and nutrient losses, and increase economic benefits according to recent Soil Health Institute research. “In addition to benefiting farmers and their land, many soil health management systems also benefit the broader environment by storing soil carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving water quality,” says Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, President and CEO, Soil Health Institute (SHI). “However, investing in soil health is also a business decision, and information regarding the economic benefits of adopting soil health practices was limited until the Institute’s recent evaluation.”
To address this information gap, Cargill and SHI partnered to assess the economics of soil health management systems and provide farmers with the economic information they need when deciding whether to adopt regenerative soil health systems.
SHI researchers interviewed 100 farmers across nine states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Tennessee) who adopted soil health systems to acquire production information such as tillage practices, nutrient management, pest management, yield changes, and others. Dr. Archie Flanders, SHI Agricultural Economist, then evaluated the on-farm economics using partial budget analysis. A detailed description of the partial budget methodology used can be found on the SHI website: https://soilhealthinstitute.org/economics/. In this approach, the costs and benefits of a soil health system are compared before and after adoption of that system.
KEY FINDINGS:
From the data collection and analysis across all 100 farms, SHI found that soil health management systems:

Increased net income for 85% of farmers growing corn and 88% of farmers growing soybean,
Reduced the average cost to grow corn by $24/acre and soybean by $17/acre, and
Increased net farm income by an average of $52/acre for corn and $45/acre for soybean.

“In addition, 97% of the farmers we interviewed reported their soil health management system increased crop resilience to extreme weather,” said Dr. John Shanahan, Project Manager for the study.
“There has been growing awareness and interest among farmers in soil health. Increasingly, they are looking for a more robust picture of the long-term benefits soil health management systems can provide,” said Ryan Sirolli, Global Row Crop Sustainability Director at Cargill. “We’re encouraged by the work the Soil Health Institute has done to provide additional quantitative evidence to demonstrate the economic benefits of adopting soil health management systems. These results further our confidence that agriculture is how farmers can become more resilient and profitable while making a positive impact on the environment.”
“To get information into the hands of farmers that is most relevant to them, we are presenting results for each individual state using webinars and fact sheets,” said Dr. Honeycutt. “The webinars will cover the highlights and give farmers an opportunity to ask questions, while the fact sheets will provide a bit more detail for their particular state. We are inviting as many state-based, ag-related organizations as we can find and asking them to please forward the invitation to all farmers on their mailing list.”
The following schedule will be used for the state-by-state webinars that occur weekly from March 18 through May 13. Registration is free but required to participate. All who register will receive that state’s fact sheet.
Iowa
Webinar scheduled for 3/18, 1 p.m. Central Time (CT)/2 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ncr9yx7pTzShHS3bt7UdnA
Nebraska
Webinar scheduled for 3/25, 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PdIECNp5SZyD4Zwwao7Mug
Tennessee
Webinar scheduled for 4/1, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vRljwTSbTyOliJ3unc_ndQ
Illinois
Webinar scheduled for 4/8, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZdRZImQIR6uKSMx2X2lK5A
Indiana
Webinar scheduled for 4/15, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nJGr_884RmKqLkiQdM0jfw
South Dakota
Webinar scheduled for 4/22, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2hUHlnuBTYCwEQXLEZ2yzQ
Minnesota
Webinar scheduled for 4/29, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dK2yawGvQJCjn4BRpxJ_cg
Ohio
Webinar scheduled for 5/6, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hUOxZ44NSoKJbq1k0lO2Ow
Michigan
Webinar scheduled for 5/13, at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZAWeUa4TR7i8egq8bky5GQ
For further information, visit www.soilhealthinstitute.org.

Advancing Ag webinar: Benefits of cover crops in regions with limited growing conditions
2021-04-28 11:00 - 12:00
Wednesday, April 28 | 11 am – noon

Advancing Ag webinar registration

Benefits of cover crops in regions with limited growing conditions will be the topic of discussion at the SWROC’s April Advancing Ag webinar on Wednesday, April 28th at 11 a.m.
Associate Professor Axel Garcia y Garcia will lead a panel discussion covering a range of cover crops and soil health topics including regenerative agriculture to enhance carbon sequestration and credit, digital technologies to enhance cover crop management, and the economic considerations behind cover crop decisions. Panelists include:

José Hernández, Senior Agronomic Data Scientist at Indigo Agriculture
William Lazarus, Professor and Extension Economist at the University of Minnesota
Guillermo Marcillo, Ag Systems Modeler at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Jay Norton, Professor and Soils Extension Specialist at University of Wyoming

This diverse panel of researchers will engage in a dialogue about cover crops with one another and take questions from participants. Participants are encouraged to submit questions upon registration or to come to the webinar with questions in mind.

Bale Grazing for Overwintering Cattle
2021-04-27 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Participate in this webinar as we discuss bale grazing, how to properly implement this winter feed strategy even in states with mild/wet winters while minimizing surface pasture disturbance, maximizing hay nutrient distribution and targeting the buildup of low fertility soils.
http://conservationwebinars.net/webinars/bale-grazing-an-alternative-strategy-for-overwintering-beef-cattle
Overwintering beef cattle on farms across the U.S. can be a challenge for so many producers. Just the time and effort it takes to feed hay during the wet and cold weather conditions can be stressful enough. That daily chore coupled with excessive hay waste, manure accumulation and the compaction and rutting of wet pasture soils by the daily tractor traffic, often adds multiple levels of resource concerns to soil and water resources on the farm. We are familiar with and encourage stockpiling and strip grazing over the winter. We are also familiar with the benefits of systematically unrolling hay out across the pasture for the cattle, but both of these management techniques have their limitations. How about ‘Bale Grazing’? What is it? Can it be a viable alternative strategy for overwintering beef cattle in our variable (cold/mild) and wet winter weather conditions of the eastern United States? Attend this webinar to learn about bale grazing, how to properly implement this winter feed strategy even in states with mild/wet winters while minimizing surface pasture disturbance, maximizing hay nutrient distribution and targeting the buildup of low fertility soils. See the first hand results of a local farm bale grazing demonstration where this producer fed nearly 400 bales to overwinter his herd using this strategy during the long, wet winter of 2020/2021.

Energized Fence Training & Silvopasture Workshop/Tour
2021-04-23 08:30 - 16:00 | Virtual
On April 23rd, Sustainable Farming Association is heading out to the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge for a free, full-day Energized Fence Training & Silvopasture Workshop/Tour, 8:30-4:00 PM. The day is designed for those interested in oak savanna restoration, silvopasture, adaptive or conservation grazing, and semi-permanent fence designs for grazing management.
Participants will enjoy two 3-hour sessions, one session of fencing training with Kent Solberg and Doug Voss of SFA, and one Silvopasture Workshop & Tour session with Tyler Carlson (SFA), Gary Wyatt and Jeff Jackson (U of MN Extension) and Austin Yantes (University of Minnesota). A boxed lunch will be served at noon. This event is limited to 20 participants, and pre-registration is required. Get the full details on the Silvopasture & Agroforestry Project homepage and REGISTER.

Adaptive Grazing & Silvopasture Webinar
2021-04-21 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual
Silvopastures are complex agroecosystems with the potential to provide an array of sustainable products and services. From healthy pasture-based foods and forest products to clean water and carbon sequestration, highly skilled grazing management is critical to the success and optimization of these systems. This webinar will present an overview of Adaptive Grazing Management and a look into its application to Silvopasture.
Presenters: Kent Solberg of SFA, Dr. Sue Wika and Dr. Tom Prieve of Paradox Farm.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gRbBErm6SCeodxcMYryrAA
*When you attend this Zoom event, you are giving SFA permission to use your image in the live and recorded broadcast of this event. If you do not wish to give this permission, please join the Zoom event or webinar via telephone.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Bale Grazing Farm Tour
2021-04-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
The Crow Wing River Basin Forage Council, a Networking Group of the Sustainable Farming Association, is hosting an extensive series of grazing events this spring and summer. Details for each, including registration links, are below. Preregistration is required to attend. All are free.
April 19 – Bale Grazing Tour, 5:30-7 p.m., Hollister Family Farm, 12857 Nokasippi River Rd SE, Brainerd. Bale grazing is a form of wintering cattle on pasture, or outwintering. The benefits of bale grazing include more equal distribution of manure and associated nutrients, reduced machinery costs for feeding and manure handling, and improved soil health. REGISTER.

Pasture Map & Soil Value Exchange Webinar
2021-04-12 16:00 - 17:30 | Virtual
Join the webinar, April 15th 4:00 CT , to learn about how carbon storage buyers, like Shopify and Marathon Oil, are trusting nature-based carbon drawdown and storage, American landowners are profiting from soil carbon sequestration, and how regenerative agriculture has an incredible impact on ecology, soil health, water storage and much more.

Winona SWCD Cover Crop Spring Self Guided Tour
2021-04-12 - 2021-07-01 | Winona County
Self Guided – April through July.
7 farms with 9 sites to visit.
Visit the sites before planting season starts, during a rain day, and once the crop is taking off in June or July.
Here’s a summary of the field sites you can tour….
* planting corn and soybeans green,
* roller crimping mature rye with soybeans,
* interseeding v1-v4 corn
* 60″ corn with interseeding,
* double cropping Triticale and NT soybeans,
* and making cover crops work with manure.
Winona SWCD 2021 Cover Crop Tour

Soil Invertebrates - Getting to Know the Life in Soil
2021-04-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Healthy, living soil and its functions are created and maintained by fungi, bacteria, plants and by invertebrate animals as diverse as annelids, springtails, and firefly larvae, among others. Soil invertebrates are fundamental to soil health and create soil structure, cycle organic matter, consume weed seeds and predate crop pests. This workshop will familiarize participants with common soil invertebrates, their ecology and roles in soil health, scouting methods, and management strategies to increase beneficial soil animal populations.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Waseca Soil Health Tour
2021-04-01 - 2021-06-01 | Waseca County
Beginning April 1, 2021 running
until approximately June 1, 2021
​ We have put together several locations where the landowners have graciously allowed access to their fields for soil health education. These are the same locations as last fall. Check out the soil differences after spring planting and throughout the early growing season. Pick a day that fits your schedule and when the weather suits you. Tour will remain open until crop canopy stage. This may differ per location. Visit one or visit all. An informational page will be provided at each location. Look for these signs.
You can expect to see sweet corn, pea, soybean, and corn fields; a variety of cover crop mixes; and a variety of conservation tillage practices.
​
Things to consider bringing with you:
Camera
Shovel/trowel to examine soil structure and rooting
Tape Measure
Cover Crop ID Book
Thermometer
We want to know if this was valuable to you. Please take a few minutes to fill out a survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/26C7MW3
This will help us in planning more of these Tours.

Improving Water Quality and Soil Health on Tile Drained Lands in Minnesota and Wisconsin
2021-03-31 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
The Discovery Farms Programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin concluded a conservation innovation grant project focused on water quality and soil health on tile drained fields in the fall of 2020. We are ready to bring to you key lessons learned from this project and how the data can be used in future strategies to meet water quality and soil health goals. Join us March 31 from 12:00pm-1:00pm for this virtual event.

Exploring Adviser Business Opportunities and Developing Grower Business Plans with Cover Crop Systems
2021-03-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
This webinar will discuss the benefits of public- and private-sector partnerships in cover crop and conservation practice adoption. Utilizing experience from the Big Pine Creek Watershed Project, the presenters will share specific examples of successful public- and private-sector partnerships designed for agricultural retailers and on-farm advisers. By attending this webinar, attendees will gain knowledge of the available tools and grant opportunities for building successful cover crop and conservation business plans for both retailers and farmers.
Speakers: Leslie Fisher, Resource Conservation Specialist and Big Pine Creek Watershed Coordinator, Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District, Matt Kruger, Eastern Account Manager, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
.5 CEU Crop Management and .5 CEU in Soil and Water Management (CCA/CPAg)
1 CEU Professional Meetings (CPSS/CPSC)

Beneficial Invertebrates in Our Soil
2021-03-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join us as we discuss the diversity of soil invertebrates, their role in soil health, ways to observe or monitor them, and farming practices that support soil life and improve production.
Participate in this training to:
a. Gain an expanded understanding of soil animal diversity, including the ability to recognize the 12 most common groups of soil macroinvertebrates and to describe their role in soil health.
b. Have greater, in-depth exposure to the life cycles and ecology of soil invertebrates, including the ability to describe the basic life cycles of at least 12 invertebrate groups and their role in the food web.
c. Receive training in how to recognize common groups of soil invertebrates, particularly those with agricultural importance, including the ability to describe basic invertebrate body parts and physical characteristics.
d. Identify the basics of field scouting and sampling of soil animals to evaluate species diversity in agricultural settings. This training will guide participants toward being able to carry out that same scouting and sampling independently after the course.
e. Discover practical, science-based conservation strategies to help increase the abundance and diversity of soil animal life.

This webinar is presented by USDA NRCS Science and Technology. Contact Jennifer Ryan, Science & Technology Training Library content manager, for more information about this webinar.
Audio is Computer Broadcast only | Live captions
NOTE: A “view” button will be available within one week of the live presentation date to access the on-demand recording of this webinar.

National Cover Crop Summit
2021-03-17 - 2021-03-18 | Virtual
The Spring 2021 National Cover Crop Summit is free-to-attend, 2-day online event that will feature a series of knowledge-building presentations taught by the foremost authorities on cover crops today.
Requiring no travel expense or time away from the office or farm, you will be able to participate from the comfort of your own office through a series of online presentation videos delivering practical tips and information on managing cover crops to improve soil health, protect the environment and enhance on-farm profitability.

DON’T MISS THESE INSIGHTFUL PRESENTATIONS:
Preventing Herbicide Residual Effects on Cover Crops
Gared Shaffer, Weed Field Specialist, South Dakota State University
Breaking Pest Cycles with Full Season Cover Crops
Daniel Olson, Grower, Lena, Wisc.
Maximizing the Potential Soil Health Benefits of Cover Crops
Kip Balkcom, Research Agronomist, USDA ARS
Optimizing Cover Crops with Solar Corridors
Joel Gruver, Associate Professor of Soil Science & Sustainable Ag, Western Illinois University
Preserving Water & Soil Quality Using Cover Crops
Robb Ewoldt, Grower, Davenport, IA
The Economics of Utilizing Cover Crops in a Dryland Environment
Jimmy Emmons, Grower, Leedey, OK
Maximize Livestock Feed Resources with Cover Crops: Tips From a Cover Crop Addict
Bill Buessing, Grower, Axtell, KS
Three Steps to a Growing Revolution: Where Do Cover Crops Fit?
Dave Montgomery, Professor of Earth & Space Sciences, University of Washington
Successful Integration of Multispecies Cover Crops & Livestock
John Macauley, Grower, Groveland, NY
A Balancing Act: Carbon to Nitrogen Ratios with Cover Crops
Trey Hill, Grower, Rock Hall, MD
Using Cover Crops to Build Your Most Valuable Asset
Ray McCormick, Grower, Vincennes, Ind.
Cover Crops & Cows: A Common Sense Approach
Daryl Obermeyer, Grower, Brownville, Neb.

Classroom - Achieving Cover Crop Success through Practical Goals, Field Trials, and Simple Measurements
2021-03-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
This webinar will discuss strategies for evaluating fields and farms for cover crop opportunities using goal setting, individual farm planning, and outcome assessment. The webinar will also discuss risk management for cover crops. The presenters will also outline how to clearly communicate to define goals, manage expectations, and answer common grower questions and concerns.
CEUs:
CCA/CPAg: 1.0 Crop Management
CPSS/CPSC: 1.0 Professional Meetings
Speaker Information:
Abbey Wick
Soil Health Extension Specialist and Associate Professor
North Dakota State University
and
Lee Briese
Crop Consultant and Certified Crop Adviser
Centrol Ag Consulting
Abbey Wick is a Soil Health Extension Specialist and an Associate Professor at North Dakota State University. In this role, she works with farmers to identify on-farm goals and select soil health building practices which fit those goals and the logistics of their operations. She also develops state-wide training programs for North Dakota Extension agents. Abbey has B.A. and M.A. degrees in Geography from the University of Denver and a Ph.D. degree in Soil Science from the University of Wyoming.
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.
FREE to all registrants.
Registration for the webinar includes access to the live webinar and a link to a recording of the webinar.
The live webinar broadcast will be delivered via GoToWebinar. After registering, you will receive an email with a link to register with GoToWebinar to receive the connection information.
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.

Midwest Soil Health Summit
2021-03-09 - 2021-03-11
The Midwest Soil Health Summit will be held as a virtual event throughout the week of March 9-11, 2021.
Registration, schedule and program to be announced soon.

Soil Health Innovations Conference
2021-03-08 - 2021-03-09 | Virtual
Soil health has emerged as a central theme in conversations about the future of American agriculture. Soils have become a focal topic due to new scientific understanding, the application of emerging technologies, and a growing interest among producers and policymakers in improving climate resilience and mitigating emissions.
The Soil Health Innovations Conference will bring together producers, industry professionals, educators, and students who are at the cutting edge of soil health across the country, including on-farm practices, soil biology, carbon markets, and public policy. Join us for a far-reaching exploration of agriculture’s sustainable future.
The virtual conference will be held March 8 and 9, 2021, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. MST, with ample opportunity to visit our virtual exhibit hall, view virtual student posters, and network with other participants.
You can use the form below to reserve your spot. Registration fee is $75, or a discounted $50 for farmers and ranchers. Limited scholarships are available for beginning and limited-resource farmers and ranchers. To apply for a scholarship, please complete this online form.
For more information or if you have questions, contact Alyssa Ness at alyssan@ncat.org or Sandra Booth at sandrab@ncat.org. Both can also be reached by calling (406) 494-4572.
You can also visit the conference website: https://soilinnovations.ncat.org/
University students will be granted free access. A copy of the current student ID will be required. For more information, contact Alyssa or Sandra using the information above.
The Certified Crop Adviser organization and Society for Range Management will be offering CEUs for this conference. Please watch the conference website for further details.

Organic Farm Team Summit
2021-03-05 - 2021-03-06 | Dakota’s Best Seed Warehouse, 36656 SD Hwy 44, Platte, South Dakota, 57369, United States
Organic Resources for Changing Times

The Organic Farm TEAM Summit & Equipment Showcase will feature a diverse program focused on industry updates and innovative practices. Our program features area experts and is relevant to organic growers, as well as those just getting started. The organic industry has maintained rapid growth and change; and we invite you to engage with us and our presenters as we navigate these developments.

To keep up with markets, policies, and trends in organic agriculture, growers are invited to join us and learn about the latest farm practices to produce valuable organic crops. The summit will assist growers to connect and stay ahead of changing federal policies, management protocols, market demands, and insurance coverage for organic and Non-GMO crops.

AGENDA & SPEAKERS: Our lineup of in-person and virtual speakers and Q&A panels will feature the organic agriculture and food industry’s leading experts who will be sharing trends for organic agriculture and how to break through in the tough years while staying focused on the long-term goals of farming operation.
>> FULL AGENDA & SPEAKER LIST WITH BIOS
​
SPONSORS, EXHIBITORS, EQUIPMENT: Thanks to all our sponsors and exhibitors! We have an exciting lineup of companies that will showcase the latest products for organic fertility, planting equipment, cultivators, drills and much more. Learn and see all the leading companies in the region that are offering organic agriculture strategies and much more. >> SPONSORS & EXHIBITORS
​
FOOD & DRINK: You are in for a treat! Our summit will be catered by Chef Matt from Winner, SD. An accomplished chef originally from California, he has years of experience preparing organic food for his clientele. We will be utilizing locally sourced and organic products as we can find available. Friday night dinner will feature smoked prime rib will all the fixings. South Dakota wine, beer and Badlands Distillery whiskey tasting is planned for the social hour.
​
EDUCATION: At our Organic TEAM Summit we will be offering a FREE short introductory training on the basics of organic certification requirements. You will learn how to address common issues that come up when transitioning to organic and during the application process.
This training is led by an experienced organic inspector who can provide insight into how to prepare and plan for record keeping and compliance activities required by organic certifiers. >> MORE INFO​
​
COVID 19: Waiver signature and temperature check will be required at check-in. Masks highly recommended. Bring your own or we will provide. Minors will need waiver signed by parent. We plan to follow all CDC recommended guidelines including socially distanced seating and using masks appropriately. >> INFO & WAIVER
​
WEATHER & CANCELATION POLICY: Well, we do live in the midwest, so we should be prepared! In case of cancelation we will post notification on this site and will also email addresses provided at ticket purchase. Covid cancelation would be determined by Monday, November 16 and tickets would be reimbursed. Weather cancelation will be determined by conditions in the Platte, SD area. Please be aware of local weather conditions.
