Since its inception in 1996, the Center for Excellence has grown to become a familiar educational platform for agricultural technology and innovation. On-farm demonstration plots show the economics of using conservation tillage and the latest technology available to farmers. Two 40-acre family farms are used for demonstration during field day activities. One in Clayton, Michigan on highly erodible soil demonstrates various tillage systems and a closed-loop wastewater wetland sub-irrigation system. The farm in Morenci, Michigan demonstrates the newest technology available to landowners/farmers.
A field day is hosted each August to view the in-field research and a Yield Results Crops Day is held in January to review data. The Field Day is now held on the second Wednesday of August, one week earlier than in previous years, to avoid conflict with another agricultural event.
The 2019 Center for Excellence Field Day will be held on Wednesday, August 14th. Over 350 people attend this event every year, and it has become the largest agricultural event in southeast Michigan.
- The morning Field Day line-up at Bakerlads Farm in Clayton, Michigan included sessions such as trailer tours, hosting a variety of new conservation technology stops, woodlot management, and wildlife habitat stops.
- The afternoon portion of the Field Day moves to Raymond and Stutzman Farms in Morenci, Michigan where, following lunch and noontime speakers, sessions are held, such as last year’s planter clinic, a Nitrogen Management with BioSolids session, and a trade show of equipment.
The Field Day was also an approved MAEAP Phase I meeting, and RUP and CCA credits were awarded.
The next Crop Day will be held on Friday, January 10th, 2020 at The Centre, 1800 West US 223 in Adrian, Michigan. This follow-up to the field day will bring demonstration plot yield information, as well as a variety of speakers to the agricultural community. RSVPs are requested. You can do so by filling out and submitting the form to the right.