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2020 Conservation Agriculture Field Series
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The 2020 Conservation Ag Field Series is possible due to generous support from our sponsors:
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The Conservation Ag Field Series is designed to increase the conservation skills and knowledge base of all farmers in and around Washtenaw County in order to promote wise management of natural resources in agriculture. This is a cooperative effort between the Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD), MSU Extension and Washtenaw County Farm Bureau. Workshops are designed to be hands-on and farmer-led in combination with agricultural professionals.
Rotational Grazing Virtual Tour & Webinar
*NEW*
Wednesday, October 14th
11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m.
Virtual/Link provided with RSVP
Join us for a virtual visit to Baseline Farm and learn about rotational grazing and management. Baseline Farm owner and farmer John Cox, MAEAP Technician Nick Machinski and MSU Extension Educator, Kable Thurlow, will present on various grazing topics including: watering & fencing, soil health considerations, carbon sequestration, equipment, financing and a grazing management plan. RSVP here.
Overview of the Washtenaw County Conservation District and MAEAP program:
Presenter: Nick Machinski, Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) technician
Introduction to Baseline Farm
Presenter: John Cox, Owner of Baseline Farms
Grazing management, watering and fencing
Presenter: Kable Thurlow, beef and grazing educator, MSU Extension
Soil health
Presenter: Paul Gross, field crops educator, MSU Extension
Regenerative agriculture and Carbon Sequestration
Presenter: Jason Rowntree, associate professor, MSU Department of Animal Science
Equipment and other financial assistance opportunities
Presenter: Boyd Byelich, district conservationist, S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
Creating and implementing a grazing management plan
Presenter: Adam Shedd, NRCS District Conservationist
Organics and Alternative Markets for Field Crops
Tuesday February 18th
9am-12pm
Washtenaw County Farm Council Grounds
5055 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
FREE lunch to follow program
Looking to diversify your field crop production into organic, niche grains, or hemp production? Join the Washtenaw County Conservation District, Michigan State University Extension, and the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau to learn about the production and market opportunities for these alternative cropping systems in Michigan.
Speakers:
Dan Rossman – Global Organic Alliance Certifier
Dan Bewersdorff – Herbruck’s Organic Grain Program Director
Emily Shettler – Pipeline Foods Merchandiser of Food and Feed Ingredients
Megan Philips Goldenberg – Macon Creek Malt House Co-Owner
Eric Anderson – MSU Extension Field Crops Educator
This workshop is Part 1 of a two-part series. Join us again in October for an on-farm tour and discussion of organic, niche grains, and hemp production.
Register with MSU Extension here.
Conservation Ag Field Day: Investing in Healthy Soil
Cancelled *stay tuned for 2021
Tuesday, August 11th
9 a.m - 12 p.m.
Details and location TBA
Free lunch to follow program
Transitioning from Conventional to Organic Grain FIELD DAY
Cancelled *stay tuned for 2021
Saturday, October 10th
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dottie-O-Dairy
Free lunch to follow program
Bill and Mike VanRiper of Dottie-O-Dairy Farm in Sylvan Township will provide an overview of their experience with transitioning from a family dairy with conventional row crops to a transitioning all row crops to certified organic. Learn about their process, the benefits and challenges, what an organic plan is, and tour the farm prior to harvest.
