Demonstration Field Day in Monroe County on Wednesday, September 1st from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. Barbeque dinner will be provided at 5:30. Presentations begin at 6:00 pm. Agenda will highlight keynote speaker Kristen Poley from Michigan Corn who will be giving an overview of “Conservation’s Impact on the Farm Bottom Line” report produced by Soil Health Partnership. This study analyzed the return on investment of cover crops and reduced tillage to see how each affects farm budgeting. She will highlight current research addressing the economics of conservation practices and resources available to producers. Local NRCS and FSA staff will be present to outline new programs, changes to current program, and new incentives that beginning and women farmers can take advantage of. Demonstration presentations will follow which highlight specific practices. A local, Monroe County, young farmer will highlight how the STRAND cost-share program made it possible for him to retrofit his equipment to adapt his nutrient management practices. Participants will see equipment recently retrofitted to include Y-Drops. Demonstrations will also include a drainage water management demo looking at how drainage control structures work. Tom Van Wagner will discuss how to install and use them properly to get the most benefit. Dean Baas, from MSU Extension will be showing how conservation practices such as reduced tillage and cover crops effect surface runoff using the rainfall simulator. This is a family friendly event and children’s activities will be offered to encourage whole family participation. This event is free to participants due to funding provided by the Monroe Conservation District, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation and in part through Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s Nonpoint Source Program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Participants are asked to please RSVP by August 25th by contacting the Monroe Conservation District.
Phone: (734) 241- 8540 ext 5
Email: brittany.santure@macd.org