WHAT: Soil Health Field Day

WHEN: Thursday, August 25th, 9:00 am -3:00 pm

*****REGISTER BY AUGUST 19, 2022*****

WHERE: Gary Swede Farms, 1054 Peoria Rd, Pavilion, NY

AGENDA:

9:00 – 9:45: Welcome and Introductions

9:45 - 10:15: Dave DeGolyer, WNY Crop Management Association, On-Farm Demo Plots Evaluating the Benefits and Challenges of Planting Green in Western New York

10:15 – 10:45: Debbie Aller, Cornell University, Healthy Soil for Climate Adaptation

10:45 - 11:15: Kristen Loria, Cornell University, Organic Methods for Cover Cropping Success

11:15 - 12:00 : Farmer Panel

12:00 - 1:00: Buffet Lunch (provided)

1:00 - 3:00: Cover Crop Field Tour and Soil Pit, Rod Porter, Kings AgriSeeds and NRCS Soil Scientist Nicole Kubiczki

American Farmland Trust invites you to join us for a Soil Health Field Day on August 25, 2022 at Gary Swede Farms in Pavilion, NY. We will share practical, field-tested results of advanced soil regenerative practices targeted to dairy, field and specialty crop farmers. Come learn from producer Jay Swede about his evaluation of planting green to minimize herbicide and fertilizer use, improve soil health, and maintain productivity. A panel of Genesee River farmers will discuss how soil regenerative practices have impacted their farm’s profitability. This year we highlight a presentation from Kristen Loria from Cornell University who will speak about Organic Methods for Cover Cropping Success. A complimentary lunch will be served.

Participants can expect to learn about:

• Building healthy soils for crop resiliency
• Implementing soil regenerative practices to increase farm profitability; real-life case studies from local crop and vegetable farms
• How the host farmer is evaluating planting green on their western New York farm while learning to minimize herbicide use and maintain productivity
• How different cover crop mixes can impact soil health
• How cover crops roots look underground from a soil pit

Farmers, Farmland Owners, Conservation Agency Personnel, Ag Consultants, and other interested people in western New York can register here or by using the link below (https://farmland.salsalabs.org/ny_soilhealth_2022/index.html).

There is no cost to attend, and refreshments and education materials will be provided.

If more than one person from your farm or agency is considering attending, please register each individual (CCA C.E.U.s will be available).

This field day is part of the Genesee River Demonstration Farm Network project, a collaboration between American Farmland Trust, Western New York Crop Management Association, Cornell Cooperative Extension Northwest New York Dairy Livestock and Field Crops team and the Genesee River Watershed Coalition of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This project is funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EPA’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, New York Farm Viability Institute, and the New York Corn and Soybeans Association.

Questions? Contact Aaron Ristow at aristow@farmland.org or 315.748.5029