Soil Health Tours and Information
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. |
Enjoy the tour! |
Above is a sample of the sites in the Spring 2021.
A very special Thank You to the Landowners that have taken the time to share their experiences with Cover Crops and Tillage Practices.
Below is a sample of what you may have seen at the sites in the Fall 2020.
A very special Thank You to the Landowners that have taken the time to share their experiences with Cover Crops and Tillage Practices.
Below is a sample of what you may have seen at the sites in the Fall 2020.
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Minnesota Soil Health Coalition has a vast group of YouTube videos on Soil Health. Click on the website below to explore some of the Soil Health Topics.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrQWne5XA_wjtsWefazpvg/videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrQWne5XA_wjtsWefazpvg/videos
I-90 Soil Health Tour February 27, 2020
Rick Clark, from Indiana and Matt Alford, from Blue Earth, described the many benefits of Great Soil Health.
Rick explained how by applying no till practices and planting cover crops have decreased his input costs and increased yields over the past years.
Matt also explained that he has been testing his fields regularly. He keeps solid records of all steps in the farming process. The time of day, temperature, moisture, type of seed, are all factors in decisions made everyday to his crops.
Both speakers were very helpful in answering many questions from the attendees.
The last part of the agenda involved a Farmer panel discussion. This brought up many fine points, both pros and cons on why soil health is so important to the future of farming.
Rick Clark, from Indiana and Matt Alford, from Blue Earth, described the many benefits of Great Soil Health.
Rick explained how by applying no till practices and planting cover crops have decreased his input costs and increased yields over the past years.
Matt also explained that he has been testing his fields regularly. He keeps solid records of all steps in the farming process. The time of day, temperature, moisture, type of seed, are all factors in decisions made everyday to his crops.
Both speakers were very helpful in answering many questions from the attendees.
The last part of the agenda involved a Farmer panel discussion. This brought up many fine points, both pros and cons on why soil health is so important to the future of farming.
Rick Clark
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Matt Alford
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Farm Panel
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Soil Health Research Tour-August 22, 2019 Farmamerica
The tour was led by Gene Kuntz of Farmamerica, discussing the importance of Soil Health. He also showed the plots they have at Farmamerica and explained how putting in the cover cover crops of radish, cereal rye and kale were improving soil health.
NRCS Soil Scientist Dan Nath and Area 7 Soil Health Technician Dean Thomas, both from Rochester, demonstrated the Rainfall Simulator and effects of 1 inch and 2 inch rainfalls on soil filtration abilities on 5 different types of field soil structures.
CRWP Conservation Program Manager Alan Kraus explained what the Cannon River Watershed Partnership is doing to promote Soil Health.
The tour was led by Gene Kuntz of Farmamerica, discussing the importance of Soil Health. He also showed the plots they have at Farmamerica and explained how putting in the cover cover crops of radish, cereal rye and kale were improving soil health.
NRCS Soil Scientist Dan Nath and Area 7 Soil Health Technician Dean Thomas, both from Rochester, demonstrated the Rainfall Simulator and effects of 1 inch and 2 inch rainfalls on soil filtration abilities on 5 different types of field soil structures.
CRWP Conservation Program Manager Alan Kraus explained what the Cannon River Watershed Partnership is doing to promote Soil Health.
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Waseca County Fair 2019-Rain Simulator
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