1 Day Introductory Soil Health Workshop

This Introductory Level Workshop will be led by Candy Thomas, NRCS Soil Health Specialist for KS, NE, IA and OK, and Doug Peterson, Retired NRCS Regenified Science Lead.  Both have over 20 years of experience training producers and employees on soil health and adoption of soil health management practices.  Their job is to promote the adoption of soil health and to train a work force that is capable of transmitting that same message to landowners across the United States.  Many farmers and ranchers have benefited from their training and have created lasting relationships with them that continue on in the way of consulting and support for many years after training is complete.  Thomas and Peterson have developed the following agenda topics for an information packed workshop starting at 9:00 am and ending at 3:30 pm with time for discussion:

Module 1. Soil Health Basics 1. Historical context of soil health 2. Soil Health Demonstrations 3. Define soil health and soil functions and it impact on resource management

Module 2. Linking Soil Biology to Soil Health 1. Soil functions performed by soil organisms 2. Defining biodiversity 3. Categorizing soil organisms using three broad ecological groups. For each group, describe: 4. Soil health principles and relation to soil biology

Module 3. Regenerating Soil Health and Planning for a Soil Health Management System 1. Key soil health indicators 2. Regenerative systems for soil health

Module 4. Changing Your Management Paradigm 1. Changing your nutrients 2. Carbon to nitrogen ratios 3. Rethinking pests 4. Environmental benefits

Module 5. Adding in Cover Crops 1. Types of cover 2. Where it fits in your rotation 3. Adding forage 4. Termination

Module 6.  Grazing Management  1. Adding Animals 2. Meeting their needs 3. Benefits to the soil, livestock and system

Module 7.  Economic Impacts 1. Environmental Economic Impacts 2. Improvements to the bottom line via case studies of local producers (producer panel)

Module 8. Putting the System Together   1. How to get a start 2. Wrap up

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Registration Fee: $30 per day
• Registration Time: 8:30am
• Event Location: Wyandotte County Extension Office, 1216 N. 79th St., Kansas City, KS, 66612 
• Limited scholarships for free registration are available for beginning farmers, ranchers, specialty crop growers and veterans. 
  • Registration is needed to provide a meal count.

Please RSVP to Mary Howell:  E-mail: mary@kglc.org   or  Call: Mary  785-562-8726 

Please register and provide name(s), address, phone number and email, and level of experience (ie. beginning farmer, rancher, specialty crop grower, veterans or actively engaged in farming, ranching, an educator or an agency person).