By Kirsten Workman
An Ohio State University (OSU) Extension specialist will help Vermont farmers unlock the secrets of soil health at a day-long event, April 21, in Addison County.
Jim Hoorman, who works with farmers in the areas of cover crops, no-till, manure management and water quality, will share strategies to improve soil structure, retain nutrients and increase crop yield on farm fields. The Soil Health Workshop and Field Day, co-sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension's Champlain Valley Crop Soil and Pasture Team and the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition, also includes a visit to a local dairy farm.
The event is free for farmers and $30 for others. A hot lunch is included.
Registration is requested by April 17. To register go to www.regonline.com/soilhealth. Anyone requiring a disability-related accommodation to attend, should contact Kirsten Workman at (802) 388-4969, ext. 347, or (800) 956-1125 by April 14.
"Healthy soil retains water and is a key to the need to feed the world’s estimated 9 billion people by 2050" USDA NRCS
The day gets underway at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Hall in Vergennes. Hoorman will discuss the biology of soil compaction, the economics of cover crops and weed suppression and cover cropping as a means of keeping nutrients on fields and out of surface water. In addition to his work with OSU Extension, Hoorman conducts cover crop research trials on his 40-acre farm in northwestern Ohio.
Following lunch, participants will travel to Nea-Tocht Farm in Ferrisburgh to hear from the Vander Wey family about how they manage their fields to avoid soil compaction, use cover cropping and other soil health practices.
For more information, call (802) 388-4969 or e-mail champlain.crops@uvm.edu.