Upcoming field days in southern Michigan
Summer is in full swing and there are many opportunities for farm field days coming up in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
Henry County, OH
The In-Field and Edge-of-Field Conservation Practice Field Day hosted by the Ohio State University Extension Water Quality Team on July 20 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Oedy Farms A256 Co Hwy 19, New Bavaria, OH, 43548. This field day will cover topics related to in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices, such as two-stage ditch construction and use, cover crops, and the use of Phosphorus filters to manage excess soil P. The keynote speaker will be Kevin King, USDA-ARS Research Lead and Agricultural Engineer, discussing water management and in-field practice research results. Four breakout sessions will allow for smaller group conversation. Lunch will be provided at this event, so registration is preferred. Register at this website.
Lenawee County
The Center for Excellence Field Day will be hosted by Lenawee Conservation district on Aug. 9 at 8 a.m. at Bakerlads Farm. The field day will offer a variety of speakers and presenters, and will include topics such as blemish soybeans, phosphorus management, new cover crop data, and singulation. The morning program begins at 10960 Cadmus Rd. in Clayton and includes a bus tour highlighting a field utilizing a systems approach to soil erosion. Our noon speaker is Carl Bednarski with Michigan Farm Bureau. Afternoon sessions include a combine clinic, and on-farm safety. Michigan RUP Credits, CCA Credits and MAEAP Phase 1 credit available. Please RSVP to 517-263-7400 Ext. 5 or lenaweecd@macd.org.
Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Conservation District will be hosting a field day at Noble Organics Farm located at 6760 Noble Rd. Saline, MI. The event will be held on Aug. 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The event will feature four expert speakers including Soil Work’s Glen Rabenberg. There will also be a weed zapper demonstration by Pond Hill Sales. Brisket & Biscuits will be in attendance for a delicious on-site lunch. To register visit their website. MAEAP phase 1 credit available.
Hillsdale County
The 2023 Nutrient Management Field Day will be hosted by Jay and Kelli Williams on Aug. 17 at Stoney Ridge Farms 14031 Broom Road Waldron, MI 49288. Michigan State University Extension, Hillsdale Conservation District, Hillsdale County Farm Bureau, and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are partnering to present the field day. Lunch will be provided, as well as Michigan RUP Credits, CCA credits and MAEAP Phase 1 credit. The event is free, but registration is encouraged to the Hillsdale Conservation District.
This year the event will feature Mitchell Hora as the keynote speaker. Mitchell Hora is the seventh-generation farmer and the founder of Continuum Ag. Hora has built its footprint to 40 states in 15 countries the company launched the first soil health data tool TopSoil in 2020. In the afternoon there will be a farm safety and gain bin rescue demonstration. For more information on the 2023 Nutrient Management Field Day, please contact the Hillsdale Conservation District at 517-849-9890 Ext. 3., email at hillsdalecd@macd.org, or visit www.hillsdalecd.org.
Monroe County
Michigan State University Extension and the Monroe Conservation District are planning a Conservation Tillage Field Day on Sept. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Monroe. The field day will focus on soil health and yield boosting practices like conservation tillage, cover crop inter-seeding and drainage water management. Registration is open, for more information, please email froncza3@msu.edu for more information.