Local conservation district to offer Soil Health Workshop

The Putnam and Owen County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) will host a Soils and Cover Crop Workshop on June 26 in Gosport.

The workshop is being planned to demonstrate the importance of good soil health in relationship with crop production. In today's environment it is important for farm producers to maximize productivity of their crops and farm fields while preserving and enhancing the soil resource.

The Putnam and Owen SWCDs are working with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in promoting soil and health.

Soil health is a major initiative being undertaken by NRCS and other conservation partners.

This workshop will focus on what soil health is and the importance of it along with demonstrations of what healthy soils look like and how soils respond to intensive non-sustaining farming system versus soils farmed under a healthy system that includes no-till, cover crops, nutrient management, equipment traffic control and proper drainage. That part of the workshop will be presented by Don Donovan, district conservationist for the NRCS in Parke County.

An important part of a healthy soil system is to keep the system active and alive throughout the entire year. The soil is a living system and protecting it with a cover crop can help increase organic matter, fix nitrogen, reduce soil loss and increase infiltration.

Ceres Solutions Inc. will present information on cover crops including selection, timing of application and methods of application.

An open discussion will conclude the workshop. The discussion will focus on what farmers/producers would like to see in future workshop meetings and what questions they may have on moving to a sustain healthy soil system for their operation.

Workshop cost will be $5, payable at the door, to cover the cost of materials. Reservations are required before June 15.

Reservations can be made through the Putnam County SWCD by calling 653-5716 ext. 3 or emailing Sue Crafton at sue.crafton@in.nacdnet.net.