Welcome to the Suwannee Valley Soil Health Field Day!
Join us at UF/IFAS NFREC-Suwannee Valley (Farm) in Live Oak, FL for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration. This in-person field day event will feature a farm trolley tour, informative sessions, and hands-on soil health demonstrations. Whether you’re a farmer, a student of agriculture or soil science, or part of the agricultural industry, this field day aims to educate and foster discussions on soil health and sustainable agricultural practices. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with UF/IFAS extension agents and specialists, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights to support sustainable and productive farming. We look forward to seeing you there!
Agenda:
8:00–9:00 am
9:00 am
9:30 am
- Welcome, Introduction, and Trolley Tour Loading
9:45–10:45 am – Trolley Tour Stop #1: Organic Unit
Speakers:
- Dr. Gabriel Maltais-Landry, Associate Professor, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida
- Dr. Danielle Treadwell, Associate Professor, Horticultural Sciences Department, University of Florida
- David Campbell, State Small Farm Coordinator, University of Florida • Logan Petrey, Farm Manager, Grimmway Farms
10:45–11:45 am – Trolley Tour Stop #2: Soil Pit and Lakefield Cover Crop Demo Speakers:
- Joel Love, BMP Outreach and Education Coordinator, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley
- Dr. Allan Bacon, Soil and Pedology Scientist
- Kirk Brock, Farm Manager, Brock Family Farm
- Dr. Jehangir Bhadha, Associate Professor, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida
- Dr. Yang Lin, Assistant Professor, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida
12:00–1:15 pm – Lunch and Trade Show Exhibit
- Enjoy a sponsored lunch and visit with sponsors and exhibitors.
1:15–2:00 pm – USDA Natural Resource and Conservation Service Soil Health Demonstrations
Speakers:
- Mark Kopecky, Regional Soil Health Specialist, USDA NRCS
- Dr. Victor Guerra, Study Leader, USDA NRCS
2:00–3:00 pm – Trolley Tour Stop #3: Sod-Based Rotation
Speakers:
- Jay Capasso, Regional Specialized Extension Agent, Water Resources, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley
- Dr. Shivendra Kumar, Regional Specialized Extension Agent, Row Crops, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center – Suwannee Valley
- Paulette Tomlinson, Livestock and Natural Resource Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County
- Erin Dasher, Livestock and Natural Resource Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Suwannee County
- Dr. Cheryl Mackowiak, Associate Professor, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, University of Florida
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events.
