Soil health field days set
Illinois farmers interested in adopting progressive agricultural practices to improve the health of their soil can learn from their peers at a series of field days this summer.
The Soil Health Partnership will showcase how changing nutrient management and tillage strategies, along with cover crop adoption, can create lasting economic and environmental benefits. The organization plans about 12 field days throughout the state, beginning in June and running through September. Confirmed events include:
June 23: Auburn, Ill.
June 30: Lexington, Ill.
July 7: Petersburg, Ill.
July 13: Fairbury, Ill.
July 14: Decatur, Ill.
Aug. 8: Altamont, Ill.
Aug. 15: Hudson, Ill.
Aug. 19: Assumption, Ill.
Sept. 1: Rutland, Ill.
Sept. 8: Trivoli, Ill.
"Healthy soil is more resistant to drought, and more resilient to floods - along with being an effective strategy for improving water and air quality," said Jim Isermann, Soil Health Partnership field manager for Illinois. "Our farmer-partners are innovators and pioneers, and make our best teachers for sharing good soil health practices with their peers."
An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the SHP works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, federal agencies and well-known environmental groups toward common goals. The Partnership is in its third year with 65 partner farms across eight Midwestern states.
Featured topics at the field days may include:
Cover crop management and machinery set-up
Conservation tillage methods
Advanced nutrient management
A soil pit to observe cover crop root growth and soil properties
An update on water quality news
A list of currently planned events and registration can be found at SoilHealthPartnership.org. More events will be posted throughout the summer.
