4th Annual Cultivating Resilience Farm Field Day
August 17, 2023 8:30AM - 2:00PM
Registration Deadline: August 11, 2023 - 05:00PM
10819 Quincy St, Zeeland, MI 49464
Contact: M. Charles Gould
The Cultivating Resilience Farm Field Day will showcase both common and emerging practices that promote soil health, improve water quality, and give producers practical conservation knowledge that they can use to evaluate and enhance their operations. This year’s event will include rotating breakout sessions that will showcase ways to incorporate forest and riparian management into farming operations, discussions on how to overcome challenges with implementing and continuing agricultural conservation practices, and ways to assess in-field soil health. We are also excited this year to be able to include a live demonstration of how drone technology can be used on the farm.
As Michigan agriculture faces continued challenges – from extreme weather events, groundwater shortages, development pressures, and more – cultivating resilience in our agricultural community is essential. This event is FREE and includes a free lunch and the chance to win some awesome door prizes! Everyone will automatically be entered to win for attending the event, but additional tickets can be earned by visiting our on-site vendor tables! This is also a MAEAP Phase 1 Educational Event and participants are eligible to earn 3 RUP credits.
2023 Field Day Agenda
8:30 am Registration & light breakfast – Coffee from LemonJellos – Sponsored by Greenstone Farm Credit Services
9:00 am – 11:45 am Rotating breakout sessions (40 mins each), including a 30 min networking break after two rotations.
- Ways to Use Forested & Riparian Areas – West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership
- Nathan Ayers -Savanna Institute & Symon Cronk -Newaygo Conservation District Nursery
- Description: This session will introduce you to the common agroforestry practices that can address conservation needs and build more profitable and weather-resilient farms and communities. Agroforestry is the integration of trees and animals into farming systems that mimic natural environments. Providing a multitude of economical and ecological benefits to farmers and landowners, Agroforestry practices have been adopted by the USDA and NRCS. The West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership has created a regional agroforestry demonstration and education corridor, located in Newaygo and Oceana counties. Learn more at www.westmichiganagroforestry.com
- Challenges & Successes with Conservation Practices with a focus on the Morren’s Field Trials
- Austin & Steve Morren – Morren Crops & Cattle (additional farmers TBD)
- Description: Join the Morren Brothers, hosts of today's event, and a couple other farmers (TBD) as they discuss their successes and challenges with implementing different conservation practices such as no-till and cover cropping as well as their custom implements business.
- Your Soil: Where are you and where do you want to be?
- March Kopecky – NRCS Regional Soil Health Specialist
- Description: Get your hands dirty and take a closer look at soil health by digging a little. This hands-on session will explain and demonstrate 11 indicators that can be observed in the field that will tell you a lot about how healthy a soil is. We’ll look at things like aggregate stability, soil color, presence of plant roots, crop residue, and soil organisms and discuss how our management decisions impact these soil properties. Everyone will leave with a blank copy of the worksheet so they can take a closer look at the health of the soil back on their own farm.
11:45 pm Enjoy a free, boxed lunch catered by Wolfies of Zeeland – Visit vendor booths and network with your fellow farmers!
12:45 pm Welcome & thank you! – Keynote Partner Announcements & Sponsor Comments
1:00 pm Live Drone Demonstration, Dirk Boon – Lakeshore Ag & Aerial LLC.
Interested in learning more about drone technology and potential applications on your farm? In this session attendees will witness a live demonstration of a cover crop seeding and/or a drone sprayer demonstration. Dirk Boon of Lakeshore Ag & Aerial LLC will give an introduction of the company, discuss the equipment uses and practicality, and will be able to answer questions on it’s multiple functions.
1:45 pm Closing – Stick around for our vendor door prizes! – Obtain your 3 RUP Credits and MAEAP Phase 1 Educational Credit
The Ottawa Conservation District, ODC Network, and Allegan Conservation District are partnering once again to host the 4th annual Cultivating Resilience Farm Field Day. This event is developed as part of a number of programs, including the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, the Farmland & Water Quality Conservation Initiative, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and Project Clarity. Collaborating partners for this event include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Michigan State University Extension, and the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact.
Registration for this event has closed.
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