MN Soil Health Coalition

Grazier's Pastured Pork Production School with Joel Salatin
2020-11-05 08:00 - 2020-11-06 17:00 (America/Chicago)
RSVP to Stockman Grass Farmer, 800-748-9808

Note to LSP members: When you sign up for this grazing school, mention that you are a member of the Land Stewardship Project to qualify for a $100 discount.
Pastured pigs make an ideal complementary enterprise to beef cattle; dairy; cheese manufacturing; peanut; potato and vegetable farming; hardwood timber production and fruit orcharding. Joel Salatin figures his pastured pigs produce a profit of $500 an acre for land too poor for cattle. Thanks to their omnivorous diet almost everything is feed for a pastured pig and the initial capital costs are very low. Unlike beef cattle, pig fat flavors fast so you can literally have a pork flavor of the month!
At this Stockman Grass Farmer school, here are just a few things you will learn:

How to retrofit a pasture for pig grazing with electric fencing
Low labor pig raising with every-third-day feeding
Why pigs should be rotated through pastures
Soil fertility buildup with pastured pigs
An organic approach to swine parasitism and health
Advantags and disadvantages of mixing pigs with cattle in the same paddock
Buying versus producing your own feeder pigs
Manufacturing your own feed versus buying it
Legumes as a replacement for expensive soybean meal
Feeder pig production as an enterprise
Breeds that work and those that don’t
Dry versus wet pig wallows
Advantages and disadvatages of seasonal production
How to pen and load pastured pigs easily
Various pork cuts and what to charge for them
Selling to restaurants at a profit
Specialty hams and bacon
Spanish-style acorn-finished pork

Grazier's Marketing School with Joel Salatin
2020-11-03 08:00 - 2020-11-04 17:00
RSVP to Stockman Grass Farmer, 800-748-9808

Note to LSP members: When you sign up for this grazing school, mention that you are a member of the Land Stewardship Project to qualify for a $100 discount.
This Stockman Grass Farmer‘s Grazier’s Marketing School is designed for those graziers who want to double their dollars per animal by capturing the other 50 percent of the consumer’s meat dollar. This school will cover the advantages and disadvantages of many forms of direct marketing.
Joel Salatin is the guru of direct marketing and has a lifetime of advice to give you. A major emphasis of this school will be on avoiding deadbeat customers and negative cash flow situations.
Some of the marketing venues that will be covered are:

Meat Buying Clubs
On-farm Stores
On-farm Heritage Food Events
Cooking Schools
Restaurant Sales
Farmers’ Markets
Festival Marketing
Internet Marketing including website, blogs and links
Piggyback Product Marketing

Fence Options for Grazing Cover Crops & Corn Residue
2020-10-29 09:00 - 12:00 | Jared and Valerie Luhman
The Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota is hosting a fencing field day at the farm of Jared and Valerie Luhman in Goodhue, Minn., on October 29. The event cost is $40. For more information and to register, click here.

Building Land Resilience Workshop presented by Ecological Design and Main Street Project
2020-10-26 17:00 - 20:00, 2020-10-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Join us for a Live Zoom Workshop
Sunday, Oct 25th and Monday, Oct 26th, 5:00-8:00pm
– Building Land Resilience Workshop –
This workshop will explore strategies for building regenerative farming systems and working landscapes. You will leave this workshop with an understanding of regenerative principles, observational exercises and tools to implement regeneration at any scale. Ecological Design will share insights, lessons, and stories from their 20 years of transitioning urban and rural lands. This two part “Building Land Resilience” workshop for farm managers and land stewards is facilitated by Ecological Design, hosted by Main Street Project, and funded in part through a USDA – Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program grant. There is no cost to participate, use links below to register.

Part 1: Deepening Your Land Relationship
Oct. 25th 5:00-8:00pm Central Time

Oak savanna ecology

Land assessment

Regenerative disturbance and transition strategies

Part 2: Activation Strategies
Oct. 26th 5:00-8:00pm Central Time

Soil building and water strategies

Getting started

Agroforestry systems

Live Q&A with Paula and Lindsay

Facilitators:
Paula Westmoreland and Lindsay Rebhan are designers, educators, and owners of Ecological Design, a regenerative agriculture and landscape design company working throughout the Midwest. Over the past 20 years they have helped transition hundreds of sites including rural and urban farms, homesteads, public spaces, campuses, and backyards.

Paula Westmoreland, Ecological Design, paula@ecologicaldesign.land
Paula Westmoreland is a permaculture designer, agroecologist, teacher and author who started Ecological Design in 2000. She is passionate about bringing the land back to life, laying the foundation for abundance, and finding pathways for people to reconnect to the land. Paula serves as Board vice-president of the Permaculture Institute of North America.

Lindsay Rebhan, Ecological Design, lindsay@ecologicaldesign.land
Lindsay Rebhan is co-owner of Ecological Design, an agrarian specialist in land planning, agroecology, farm design and land management. Lindsay works with farmers, land owners, food nonprofits, and organizations to increase the natural wealth of land over time. Lindsay co-teaches an annual Regenerative Farm Design Course at Mastodon Valley Farm and an undergraduate course on Environmental Sustainability with HECUA at Lily Springs Farm. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Savanna Institute.

Host:
Since 2016, Ecological Design has been a foundational partner in Main Street Project’s effort to restore 100 acres of corn on corn farmland located in Northfield, MN into a healthy ecosystem by covering the soil, planting perennials, cleaning up waterways, and adding wetlands. The Main Street Project exists to innovate a path toward a more just, resilient, and healthy food system; welcome, support, and value the expertise of immigrant, low income, new and transitioning farmers in a shared economy; and demonstrate perennial agriculture’s capacity to heal the land and care for community.

U of M Extension Small Farm Education 8-Week Workshop Series
2020-10-21 18:30 - 20:30
Small Farm Education Workshop Series

Join University of Minnesota Extension Ag Educator Rod Greder for an eight-week workshop series, “Small Farm Education”, a complete introduction to managing your small acreage or farm. This series will be held Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. beginning October 21. The basic agriculture information received through this series will help you be a good steward of your land and prepare you for more advanced learning opportunities. You’ll also have time for networking and questions.
Topics covered (subject to change):

Taking Stock: What do I have and what do I want to do? Develop short and long term goals, complete an inventory and property map. Introduction to Extension and our resources and programs.
What can I do with my property? Local and state regulations, and your goals. Production systems, marketing and economics for agricultural/rural enterprises. Farm transitions and land access.
Soil, Water, Air, Climate: Learn about soil structure, health, and fertility. Learn how to use integrated sustainable systems to be good stewards of all your natural resources. Regenerative and practical practices.
Buildings, Equipment, Crops, and Livestock: What do you want to produce? Learn about the buildings, equipment, power and supplies you’ll need.
Woodlands and Wildlife: Information to best care for your trees and woodlots. Invasive weeds, pollinators and wildlife habitats. Agroforestry. Silvopasture.
Home-Grown Fruits, Nuts and Vegetables: Successful vegetable and fruit production for home use or sale. Managing fruit trees and vines. Explore options for selling produce. Alternative production systems. Food safety planning.
Animal Care and Management: Animal husbandry, manure management, pasture management, zoning and permitting, labor required and costs of livestock; emphasis on poultry, sheep, goats, and cattle.
Tours and Panels: Visit small farm businesses to get ideas and inspiration. Q&A with farmer panel. Networking with suppliers, vendors, buyers, information providers.
NOTE: Topics are subject to change based on the needs of the participants.

How to Register:

Registration fee is $159 (for two people from one farm) for the 8-week educational series. Late fee: An additional $20 will be charged for registrations received after October 10.
Pre-registration is required, register HERE by October 10 (Please register early as class size is limited).

For more information, please contact Rod Greder, Ag Educator, 320-591-1662 or gred0014@umn.edu.
https://z.umn.edu/PineFarmEd2020

Profitability Strategies: Earning More with Regenerative Ag [Webinar]
2020-10-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Want to improve your farm’s resilience and profitability? Are you working to sustain and build your operation for the next generation? Are you interested in incorporating regenerative ag practices but want insights & support from experts to ensure success?
Adding cover crops, reducing tillage, and other practices can help benefit your soil and your bottom line. And now, increased soil organic matter or reduced greenhouse gas emissions from these practices can also generate verified carbon credits, which are increasingly in demand by buyers, such as major corporations.
To learn more, join the editors of No-Till Farmer for a free webinar on Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m. CT, “Profitability Strategies: Earning More with Regenerative Ag,” to learn how adopting practices that are good for your farm can also benefit your bottom line.
During this live webinar, Indigo Ag’s Ryan Stockwell and Darrin Unruh will discuss:

How to know when you are making progress on your soil health or regenerative journey
What to include in your plans for adding additional regenerative practices beyond the first year
Insights, data, and decision tools Indigo provides to simplify the process of adding regenerative practices
How Indigo Carbon provides additional income as you incorporate regenerative practices while maintaining operational flexibility
Success stories from the field

Date: Thursday, October 15
Time: 10 a.m. CDT
Speakers: Ryan Stockwell and Darrin Unruh
Register Now
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About the Speakers
Ryan Stockwell, Senior Manager of Agronomic Products
Dr. Ryan Stockwell serves as the Grower Engagement Manager at Indigo Ag. Previously, he served as the Director of Sustainable Agriculture for the National Wildlife Federation. In that role, he led the cover crops program including policy development in the Farm Bill, research coordination, and farmer champion communication training and other strategies to communicate regenerative agriculture to farmers in ways that best meet their decision-making methodologies. Ryan has a PhD in history from the University of Missouri, a Master’s in History from Miami University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Change and Development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. In his spare time he farms near Medford, WI using regenerative practices. He has served on the board for the Midwest Cover Crops Council, the Advisory Council for Ag-Analytics, and the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Administrative Council.
Darrin Unruh, Regional Beneficial Ag Specialist
Darrin grew up on a farm in Reno County Kansas running a 4010 John Deere tractor pulling a four-bottom plow. Since then he has come full circle in terms of his views towards soil health. Darrin took my first Holistic Resource management course in the early 90’s. He and his brother Stacy have a farming partnership consisting of approximately 770 acres that they manage biologically. They have a cow/calf operation that is focused on flex grazing to improve their soils. Darrin works for Indigo Ag as the regenerative ag specialist for the Western region. He also serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Forage and Grasslands Council.

Fence Options for Grazing Cover Crops and Corn Residue: Paynesville
2020-10-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Paynesville
SFA’s ongoing Dirt Rich work continues this summer with four in-person events that, like our corresponding podcast, feature expert knowledge and farm information focused on the Five Principles of Soil Health and especially, in the case of these events, livestock integration.

Each event will be led by SFA Senior Technical Advisor Kent Solberg and the accompanying SFA staff farmer host. These in-person events will be limited to 10 participants each to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines. Registration is free for current SFA members and $40/nonmembers. SFA recommends bringing face masks to its events.

This workshop, Oct. 13 – “Fence Options for Grazing Cover Crops and Corn Residue,” is set for 1-4 p.m. Tues., Oct. 13, at Doug Voss Family Farm, 27725 Business 23 E, Paynesville.

NCAT Webinar Series: Federal Assistance for Natural Resource Conservation on Working Lands
2020-10-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2020-09-24 15:00 - 16:00
Webinar Series Explains Access to Federal Assistance for Natural Resource Conservation on Working Lands
Webinar Part 1: The Overview – Thursday, September 17
Webinar Part 2: The Process – Thursday, September 24
Webinar Part 3: Deep Dive – Thursday, October 8
This is a webinar series supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and its ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program.
Farmers and ranchers nationwide will have access to billions of dollars in federal assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) to maintain and begin critical conservation efforts on their farms and ranches that benefit us all. How is access to these resources determined?
In 2020 a new tool called the Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART) was introduced by NRCS. It uses a conservation program neutral method to assess the existing condition and planned conservation activities on a client’s operation and provides an efficient ranking tool to rank single applications into multiple applicable ranking pools for funding consideration. A three-part webinar series on CART will take place during September and October to provide interested farmers and ranchers with an overview of the tool, as well as a deeper look into how it works.
Presenters:

Aaron Lauster, Conservation Planning Branch Chief, NRCS
Eric McTaggart, Natural Resources Specialist, NRCS

Moderator:

Jeff Schahczenski, Agricultural and Natural Resources Economist, NCAT

Webinar 1: Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART): Overview

Thursday, September 17, 1:30 p.m. EDT
Presented by: Aaron Lauster, Conservation Planning Branch Chief, NRCS
This webinar is intended to give farmers and ranchers a basic understanding and familiarity with CART, including how CART can be used to evaluate their operations for conservation assistance and funding consideration, and how they can request an assessment.
Register for Part 1 here: https://attra.ncat.org/cart-part-1/

Webinar 2: Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART): The Process

Thursday, September 24, 3:00 p.m. EDT
Presented by: Eric McTaggart, Natural Resources Specialist, NRCS, and Aaron Lauster, Conservation Planning Branch Chief, NRCS
This webinar will walk through an example of a farmer or rancher who is interested in applying for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with NRCS. It will start with completing a CART assessment on the client’s operation and then explain how that application is considered for funding.
Register for Part 2 here: https://attra.ncat.org/cart-part-2/

Webinar 3: Conservation Assessment Ranking Tool (CART): Deep Dive

Thursday, October 8, 2:00 p.m. EDT
Presented by: Aaron Lauster, Conservation Planning Branch Chief, NRCS, and Eric McTaggart, Natural Resources Specialist, NRCS
This webinar will build on the previous two by taking a deeper look at the science behind CART and the methodology the ranking tool uses to rank different applications across multiple ranking pools for funding consideration.
Register for Part 3 here: https://attra.ncat.org/cart-part-3/

All three webinars will be recorded and posted online at a later date.
About the Presenters:
Aaron Lauster, Conservation Planning Branch Chief, NRCS
Aaron has worked the last two years leading the development of CART. Prior to working on CART, Aaron was the National Sustainable Agriculture Lead at NRCS
and led development of the Resource Stewardship Evaluation Tool (RSET). Aaron has worked with the Department of Commerce as the Senior Conservation Policy Advisor for the RESTORE Council and lead writer for the development of the Comprehensive Plan for Restoring the Gulf Coast’s Ecosystem and Economy. He has provided leadership on a number of national initiatives including the Air Quality Initiative, Organic Initiative, Mississippi River Healthy Watershed Initiative, Sage Grouse Initiative, and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Aaron was previously an NRCS Area Conservationist in Michigan and a District Conservationist in Indiana. He also has experience with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and Astbury Environmental Consulting and Private Forestry Consulting.
Eric McTaggart, Natural Resource Specialist, NRCS
Eric McTaggart has worked for NRCS since 2002. He began his career as an intern in his home county of Iroquois County, Illinois, and began his full-time career with

NRCS in 2003 as a Soil Conservationist. From 2005 to 2018, he served in multiple counties throughout Illinois as a District Conservationist. He also successfully implemented the Indian Creek Watershed project and the Headwaters of the Vermilion project, with the goal of improved water and soil quality. In 2018, Eric became a Natural Resource Specialist in the Financial Assistance Program Division based in Washington, D.C., where he developed Farm Bill Financial Assistance Program policy and provided training and support to the state branches of the agency. He also served six months as the project coordinator for the development of CART. In 2019, he joined the Conservation Planning and Technical Assistance Division where he provides CART training, guidance, and support to states while continuing his work on the development of enhancements and new functionalities for future versions of CART.

Since 1976, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources. More information about its programs and services is available at www.ncat.org or by calling 1-800-ASK-NCAT.

NCAT Headquarters:
3040 Continental Drive
Butte, MT 59701
1-800-ASK-NCAT

THE NCAT MISSION
Helping people by championing small-scale, local, and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources.

Virtual Soil Health Field Day
2020-10-08 13:30 - 15:00
From perennial crops to cropland grazing, we want to help farmers maximize their soil health!
Join the Washington Conservation District for a virtual field day with local farmer, Pam Arnold; learning how they apply their cover crop mix for greatest success! Pam Arnold farms 40-acres of land in Scandia along the St. Croix River and is the owner of Salt-n-Pepper Farm LLC . She is certified through the Minnesota Ag Water Quality program and was recognized as the Washington County Outstanding Conservationist in 2018. Pam is a fierce advocate for the St. Croix River and enthusiastic about getting more women involved in farming.

Additionally, hear from local experts at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, and the Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District who will share about the benefits of soil health practices, how to take advantage of the cropland grazing exchange program, and what financial resources are available to help you apply these conservation practices to your own farm!

SFA Silvopasture Planning Management Workshop
2020-10-01 08:30 - 13:00 | Sunup Ranch, 12316 Co 18 SW, Brainerd, MN, 56401
The Sustainable Farming Association is hosting a workshop on silvopasture planning management on October 1 in Brainerd. This training is for both agricultural professionals who work with farmers and farmers that are considering or implementing silvopasture practices.
Suitable for marginal land and unmanaged wooded pasture, silvopasture combines livestock, forage, and trees into one holistic system. The Silvopasture Field Training Workshop is set for 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 1, at Sunup Ranch, 12316 Co 18 SW, Brainerd. The event will illustrate how this farming system can improve soil health and water quality, enhance wildlife and prevent erosion – all while providing short- and long-term farm income. REGISTER.
Led by SFA Silvopasture Lead Tyler Carlson and Dr. Diomy Zamora, this event is sponsored by SFA Central & Greater Mille Lacs Chapters and North Central SARE and includes a box lunch. It is free for current SFA members and $40 for nonmembers and preregistration is required. SFA membership typically starts at $40, making it a great time to join the network!
The workshop will take place outside with social distancing guidelines in effect; space is limited to 25 people due to Minnesota COVID-19 guidelines. Registrants will be notified on September 28th if the event is to be cancelled due to low attendance and non-members will be refunded. For additional information on the workshops please see the SFA’s Silvopasture page.
Directions: The workshop will be hosted at 12316 Co 18 SW, Sunup Ranch’s headquarters, and not the house. Access is a minimum maintenance road at the back of the ranch. Folks should be advised that GPS will often take them east of Brainerd to MN Hwy 18 and that the site is west of Brainerd, and Co 18 goes north off of Hwy 210.

Ag Professionals: There are scholarships available to cover the $40 registration fee for agricultural professionals to attend the workshop. We also offer six CEUs for Certified Crop Advisors to participate. Here’s the link for applying for a scholarship. This form will serve as your registration form. Wayne Monsen (wayne@sfa-mn.org) will let you know if you are registered and the scholarship approved or if the registration is full.

U of M Extension Goat/Sheep Webinar: Connecting Producer to Consumer
2020-09-30 18:30 - 19:30
The University of Minnesota Extension is excited to host a webinar on Wednesday September 30th starting at 6:30pm CDT focusing on the different factors and steps to connect goat and sheep producers with consumers.
Discussion will center around the different types of processing and direct marketing, animal ID & record keeping, factors affecting the marketing of sheep/goats, cuts of meat, profit calculators, outlets for direct marketing, and how to tell your story. Farmers, 4-Hers, ag business professionals who work with farmers, and those interested in goats or sheep are invited to attend.
Dr. Travis Hoffman-Extension Sheep Specialist-U of M/NDSU Extension, Rashed Ferdous-Local Meat Specialist, and a representative from the MN Dept of Ag, Dairy and Meat Inspection Division will be the featured speakers. Additional topics include: direct marketing & regulations regarding meat processing-what you can/can’t do, managing costs & customer expectations, and growing specialty meat marketing opportunites in Minnesota.
Pre-registration is required. Please register at z.umn.edu/Goat-SheepMarketing by 12:00 pm (noon) on Wednesday September 30th. The Zoom link will be emailed to you after registration closes. 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
Media Contact: Brenda Miller, Extension Educator-Todd County, Long Prairie, MN, 320-533-4655, nels4220@umn.edu

Agralytica Virtual Listening Session: Feasibility of Insuring Local Food Production
2020-09-30 18:00 - 19:00
Please tune in to this Virtual Listening Session with Agralytica, which is working under contract for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).
Why? As part of the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress required RMA to solicit feedback about improved crop insurance coverage options for farmers and ranchers selling to local food markets (including but not limited to farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), road-side stands, restaurants, retailers, schools, and institutions). This includes discussing how existing crop insurance programs can be improved, as well as exploring the possibility of a new crop insurance program. The feedback we receive will help us identify potential changes and/or additions to insurance options for producers supplying local markets.
Who? This “make-up” session is primarily for farmers and ranchers who sell to local food markets and their representatives in the federal crop insurance industry.
When? Wednesday, September 30th, at 6p Pacific Time. Please contact us if you are unable to attend and still want to provide feedback.
What is a virtual listening session? It is a method to connect and talk with you via phone and/or an internet connection. You can participate in one of two ways:

By calling into the number provided to listen or speak, OR
You may call in and participate online through videoconference (using Zoom), which allows you to view the host and some of the participants, as well as any visual material shared digitally.

Any information/feedback provided will be made anonymous prior to inclusion in any report.
Instructions to Participate in the Listening Session
How? You can participate via videoconference using Zoom on a computer or smartphone app, or by simply dialing from a telephone. For those participating via Zoom, you will be given the option of using your computer (or phone app) for audio, or dialing in. Participants will be muted by default upon entry.
Computer/app participants: Click on the link below and, if prompted, enter the passcode “local”.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87372872344?pwd=[REDACTED] Passcode: [REDACTED] Meeting ID: 873 7287 2344
Telephone participants: You can mute and unmute yourself by typing “*6” (star, followed by the number 6).
One tap mobile +16465588656,,87372872344#,,,,,,0#,,746512# US (New York) +13017158592,,87372872344#,,,,,,0#,,746512# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location (if you have free long distance, any of these should work)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 873 7287 2344 If dialing in only, there is no participant ID. Passcode: [REDACTED] Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kclzmxreEX
Contact information
Please contact Andre Williamson, President of Agralytica, with any questions regarding the content of this invitation or to provide additional feedback regarding the feasibility
of insurance coverage for local food producers. Mobile Number: 240-432-0308 OR email: awilliamson@agralytica.com. If you email, please include “Local foods insurance” as your subject line.

Soil Sessions: Yield Data Collection
2020-09-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Join SHP Field Manager Keith Byerly as he shares his top tips for ensuring you’re collecting accurate yield data. Since we don’t get to hit the reset button on harvest, Keith’s advice will help make sure you have the information needed to make the best decisions in the future.
Date
September 29, 2020
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Location
Virtual – Zoom information will be provided following registration
Note: If you cannot attend the live event, still register for access to the recording.
Questions
soilhealth@ncga.com

FEATURING

Featured SHP Staff:
Keith Byerly
Keith Byerly is a Field Manager for Soil Health Partnership covering Kansas and Nebraska.

TOPICS

Yield Data Collection

You’ll learn:

Which parts of your yield monitor system are wearable – and how to ensure they are still functioning properly
How to check your data system and make sure it is up-to-date
Why understanding how data is coming out of the field and who is taking data from the field is critical to eliminating data preservation problems

Hosts

Keith Byerly – SHP Field Manager

Additional Links

Registration ›

Exploring Forage Potential in a Rotationally Grazed, Perennial Pasture System
2020-09-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
Zoom Event
RSVP to LSP’s Alex Romano at aromano@landstewardshipproject.org

Are you a young grazier wanting to explore rotational grazing of diverse, perennial pastures? How about techniques for increasing forage productivity and quality to extend your grazing season? Are you a seasoned grazier with direct experience and/or connections relevant to this topic that could help a young grazier get going?
Fire up your computer and join the Land Stewardship Project on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., for an Online Pasture Talk* featuring southeastern Minnesota grazier Zach Knutson. He will share his recent experiences planting parcels of highly erodible soil to a perennial pasture mix to help expand his land base while sequestering carbon and improving soil in those spots. Zach also plans to discuss lessons learned in the first year of daily rotations and the benefits he is seeing in his pastures from cutting paddock sizes in periods of slow growth.
About Zach
Zach Knutson owns and operates Knutson Shorthorns in Pine Island, Minn., where he rotationally grazes registered shorthorns and direct markets beef. Recently, Zach has been planting more perennial crops and plans to utilize more diverse cover crop mixes for fall/spring grazing. He has also been breaking his pastures up into smaller paddocks, moving the cattle more frequently and increasing rest periods. When he is not farming, Zach works as a bank examiner with the Farm Credit Administration, which oversees the Farm Credit System institutions across the U.S.
*E-mail reminders with event details and Zoom links will be sent out at least one week ahead of the event.
Questions?
Contact LSP’s Alex Romano at aromano@landstewardshipproject.org.

UMN Extension-Pine County Hay/Pasture Management Field Day
2020-09-22 18:00 - 19:30 | 11131 Lakeview Heights Road, Pine City, MN
You are invited to a pasture management field day on Sept 22nd at 6pm hosted by University of Minnesota Extension-Pine County at 11131 Lakeview Heights Road, Pine City (follow the signs to farm entrance.) Google Map

Speakers are: Kent Solberg, SFA grazing specialist, NRCS/SWCD county reps, Rod Greder, Pine/Isanti Extension Educator, Troy Salzer, St Louis Extension Educator, and local graziers.

Objectives:

Learn best practices for rotational grazing from other graziers and grazing experts
Learn about pasture measurement tools and using them to improve profitability
Determine the most cost-effective ways to increase hay quality and quantity.
Hear about the top 10 tips to improve pasture productivity and wean more pounds off each acre

For more details go here: https://z.umn.edu/PastureManagement
Please pre-register by contacting Rod Greder, gred0014@umn.edu or call 320-591-1662.

We will also be discussing the Pasture Productivity Pail (PPP) and its use and intent. More details to come as we prepare for the launch of the PPP later this Fall.

We will practice covid-19 guidelines to keep everyone safe.

Soil Health Institute Webinar: Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions in U.S. Agriculture through Soil Health
2020-09-22 13:00 - 14:45
The theme for this event is Achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions in U.S. Agriculture through Soil Health. Brief, 10-minute presentations will be given by the Soil Health Institute, Cargill, and Walmart.org that describe the overall strategy and work being conducted to address gaps in adoption that will allow the entire U.S. agricultural sector to achieve net zero C emissions by 2040. The audience (food & beverage companies, policymakers, conservationists, and others) will then engage in a 20-minute discussion period with all speakers.
The Soil Health Institute is a non-profit with a mission to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soils through scientific research and advancement.
Disclaimer for Participation:
I understand that this is a virtual event. By registering for this event, I acknowledge that I may be part of a video/audio production. I hereby grant permission to the Soil Health Institute to use any captured image of myself as well as my voice recorded during their event in its publicity, promotion for soil health, and/or education.
Event Agenda:

Fridays on the Farm September 18th
2020-09-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Facebook Live
Join us on our series of virtual field days this summer, every other Friday, to hear from farmers around the state with how they’re using soil health practices!
Events will be on the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition’s Facebook page using Facebook like to allow you to participate from anywhere and ask questions! Find it HERE

2020 SW MN Field Day
2020-09-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Nancy and Jerry Ackermann’s, 39750 820th St, Lakefield, MN, 56150, United States
Nancy and Jerry Ackermann are partnering with the Heron Lake Watershed District and Minnesota Department of Agriculture to host a field day! Data and testing have been collected over a three-year period to help measure and determine the benefits of using cover crop strip-till management versus conventional tillage. The field day will consist of:
1. Various cover crop seed mix demonstrations by Jerry Ackermann
2. A demonstration of the rainfall simulator showing runoff and infiltration rates for various management types by Jennifer Hahn, Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
3. Soil temperature and moisture results from the grant period of using cover crop strip-till management versus a conventional tillage management by Catherine Wegehaupt, Heron Lake Watershed District
4. Soil test results from the grant using various managements
When: Thursday, September 17 th , 2020 at 2:00 PM
Where: Nancy and Jerry Ackermann’s 39750 820 th Street Lakefield, MN 56150

NCAT Webinar Series - Federal Assistance for Natural Resource Conservation on Working Lands
2020-09-17 13:30 - 14:30

Preparing Your Poultry Coop for Winter
2020-09-17 13:00 - 14:00
The number of Minnesotans raising backyard and small flock poultry has grown immensely during the pandemic. And the care of livestock and poultry in winter can be challenging.
Join us for a lunch-time webinar on how to prepare your coop for winter and provide your birds with a successful winter experience.
Cost-Free
Registration-Registration is required. Zoom will send you the link to the webinar along with calendar invitations and event reminders.
Event information
Date- Thursday, September 17, 2020
Time-12 – 1 p.m.
Location-Webinar
ContactAbby Schuft, Extension educator
neux0012@umn.edu or 320-235-0726

Register at:
https://extension.umn.edu/event/preparing-your-poultry-coop-winter

Measures of Soil Nitrogen Cycling
2020-09-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Thursday, September 17, 2020
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
Measuring and assessing soil health are critical for understanding how changes in agronomic management practices affect the capability of soil to support cropping systems. In this presentation, the Soil Health Institute will focus on explaining measurements and assessments of soil health associated with soil-nitrogen dynamics. Soil scientists have been working to estimate rates of nitrogen mineralization for use in soil fertility recommendations for generations. The Soil Health Institute has investigated various means of measuring the microbially mediated process of nitrogen cycling and will discuss: soil organic carbon and nitrogen, potentially mineralizable nitrogen, microbial respiration, inorganic and organic nitrogen extractions, N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase (NAG enzyme), and autoclaved-citrate extractable soil protein (ACE protein). For each measurement, the method or methods will be described and the meaning of the measurement will be discussed, especially as it pertains to on-farm advisers and farmers. Insights and examples from the North American Project to Evaluate Soil Health Measurements will be shared to provide contextual understanding of each measurement.
CCAs and CPAgs will receive 1.0 Soil and Water Management CEU. CPSS and CPSC will receive 1.0 Professional Meetings CEU.
Free to all registrants. Register now!
Registration for the live webinar provides free access to the recording for 30 days.

Solar United Neighbors Webinar: Grants & Financing Opportunities for Farms & Rural Businesses to go Solar
2020-09-16 12:00 - 13:00
Webinar to feature grants and financing opportunities for farms and rural businesses to go solar
The webinar is Wed., September 16 p.m. at noon. You can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HpUJY1R-Qd66bvZUVjimdw
Solar United Neighbors is working to help farmers and rural small business owners tap into grants and financing available to install solar. Solar power has grown in popularity as the costs of installing solar have dropped while at the same time solar panel technology has dramatically improved.
For farmers and rural business owners there is financing and grants available to go solar. A federal tax credit that covers 26% of the cost of solar installations on businesses goes down to 22% in 2021 and then continues at 10% from 2022 onward. Two experts on the issue will be featured on a Solar United Neighbors webinar on May 19 at 6:30 p.m.:

Fritz Ebinger, Clean Energy Resource Team, Rural Energy Development Program Manager
Autumn Long, Solar United Neighbors Regional Director

You can also contact Bobby King at Solar United Neighbors at 507-450-7258 or bking@solarunitedneighbors.org.
In addition farmers and small business owners in southwest Minnesota may want to enroll in Solar United Neighbors Morris and Southwest Prairie solar co-op to tap into additional resources for going solar.

Temporary Fence Techniques for Managed Silvopasture: Sauk Centre
2020-09-15 13:00 - 16:00 | Sauk Centre
SFA’s ongoing Dirt Rich work continues this summer with four in-person events that, like our corresponding podcast, feature expert knowledge and farm information focused on the Five Principles of Soil Health and especially, in the case of these events, livestock integration.

Each event will be led by SFA Senior Technical Advisor Kent Solberg and the accompanying SFA staff farmer host. These in-person events will be limited to 10 participants each to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines. Registration is free for current SFA members and $40/nonmembers. SFA recommends bringing face masks to its events.

This workshop, “Temporary Fence Techniques for Managing Silvopasture,” is set for 1-4 p.m. Sept. 15 at Tyler Carlson’s Early Boots Farm, 20232 Balsam Dr, Sauk Centre.

Info: kent@sfa-mn.org.

Inter-Seeding Covers, Grazing and 60" Corn
2020-09-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Zoom online video event.
RSVP to Shona Snater, LSP, ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org

Aaron Gillespie farms near Fountain, Minn., and raises conventional/organic row crops, small grains, cover crops, hay, and canning peas. He also rotationally grazes beef. Gillespie built his own interseeder to incorporate cover into his 30” and 60” corn.
This Land Stewardship Project presentation will take place online over a Zoom conference call. You can video conference or just phone in. Those who call in will not be able to see images of the presentation. Small group discussions and Q & A will be a part of the program. Join the meeting 10 minutes early for music and socialization!
For more information, contact LSP’s Shona Snater at ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org.
To view the flier for this and other LSP soil health events, click here.

Soil Health School
2020-09-10 09:00 - 2020-09-11 16:00 | Jamie Labat’s Farm, 3055 260th St, Marshall, MN, 56258, United States
A two day training designed to provide introduction to intermediate effective information on how to get started implementing soil health practices as well as a deeper look into management options and integrating regenerative practices. Classroom and field learning will be provided, hear from Minnesota farmers implementing soil health practices as well as technical experts from the state. Discussion sessions will be provided to hear from and ask questions from farmers to learn about their successes and challenges as they’ve implemented soil health practices. Who Should Attend? Farmers, agronomists, technical staff, those interested in learning more.
Register below or complete and mail in the hard copy
SH School Brochure

Soil Health Expo
2020-09-09 09:00 - 14:30
The Rollofson family is holding a unique and educational Soil Health Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 9th from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm near Barrett, MN to discuss and demonstrate soil health management tactics being implemented in west-central Minnesota.
Learn how to economically integrate no-till, strip-till, and cover crops into your system from experienced farmers. Topics include:
Soil fertility
Nutrient management
How to integrate cover crops into reduced till operations
True cost of field erosion
A farmer panel will discuss the challenges that local producers face when striving to improve soil health. Lastly, watch some equipment get dirty in the side–by–side equipment demonstrations presented by regional and national manufacturers of cover crop interseeders, strip-till implements, and no-till planters.
There is no cost to attend the event. However, pre-registration is requested to help with meals, grounds planning, and updates concerning changes in the agenda.
The planning committee is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and the impact it may have on this event. Registrants will continue to receive updates about the event throughout the summer and we will communicate any changes to format as soon as possible.
Register now for the Soil Health Expo https://extension.umn.edu/event/soil-health-expo
The Expo is a collaboration between the Rollofson family, Grant Soil and Water Conservation District, the University of Minnesota – Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Pomme de Terre River Association.
The Soil Health Expo is located two miles west of Barrett, Minnesota on County Road #2. The latitude/longitude is 45.901546, -95.826897.

Fridays on the Farm September 4th
2020-09-04 11:00 - 12:00 | Facebook Live

Park the Plow: Tillage, Cover Crops, and Clean Water
2020-09-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Dave and Mark Legvold Farm, 5103 315th Street W, Northfield, Minnesota, 55057
Discover how area farmers are improving soil health, farm profitability, and water quality by using Strip-till, No-till, and cover crops. View reduced tillage and interseeding equipment and talk to farmers and company representatives.
The event is free, but registration is required. To register visit www.crwp.net and click the “Register Now Here”. Registration deadline is Thursday, Aug. 27 th. Attendees will be in their vehicles to hear presenters with slides projected on Dave’s shed wall. Space allows for about 25 vehicles, register early. You only need to register once for all of the people in your car.
Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Guidelines will be followed, including the wearing of cloth masks and maintaining a 6-foot distance from non-family members. Sponsors will provide reusable cloth masks, bottled water and popcorn, and the first 25 attendees will receive a water nitrate test kit free.
Schedule
7:00 pm View Equipment and Strip-till discussion led by Environmental Tillage Systems
7:40 Using the Nitrate Test Kit – Professor Paul Jackson, St. Olaf College
7:50 “About Groundwater” – Jill Trescott, Dakota County Environmental Specialist
8:10 Farmers Dave & Mark Legvold, Tim Little & John Becker
