Using no-till practices can benefit your bottom line and the environment, as it can cut fuel costs by more than 5 times and build soil health and productivity long-term, especially when paired with cover crops and good soil management practices.

Join farmers and service providers for this free educational event by Kent Conservation District about no-till farming practices, programs, and experiences, with complimentary lunch from Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm for registered attendees!

Activities:

Before lunch there will be a series of 10-15 minute presentations including 1) advances in no-till equipment by an equipment sales rep, 2) new research on no-till agriculture and soil health by MSU Extension, and 3) programs available to fund and support no-till farming by USDA NRCS and your Conservation District.

Lunch will be followed by a roundtable discussion and Q and A with local farmers who use a no-till drill on their farm, moderated by your county MAEAP Technician. Panelists will discuss benefits, challenges, and tricks of the trade.

Finally, our goal is for attendees to be able to attend a field demonstration with Kent Conservation District’s No-Till Drill, which will be available for rent throughout Kent County in the future.

This event is the first in a multi-part series about no-till farming.

Educational Credits:

This event will fulfill the MAEAP Phase 1 Educational Requirement, provide RUP Credits, and provide CEU credits for certified crop advisors in the Soil and Water Management or Nutrient Management categories. The discussion will include unique aspects of pesticide and fertilizer application when using no-till farming practices.

Agenda:

10:30 AM—Arrive, connect, tables (NRCS, MAEAP, LGROW, MSUE, KCD, Equipment Dealer, CCA’s)

11:00AM—Presentations from Kent Conservation District/NRCS, equipment dealer, MSU Extension

11:30AM—Lunch is served

12:15PM—Roundtable discussion and Q and A with local farmers on No-till benefits, challenges, and tricks of the trade. Moderated by Kent County MAEAP Tech

1:15PM–Potential field demonstration with Kent Conservation District’s No-Till Drill

2:00PM—Closing remarks