GoCoverCrops

Soil Health Workshop Series: Crop Rotation
2025-05-10 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Village Family Farms, 1662 Crawford Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
Soil is the lifeblood of the farm. Healthy soils support plant growth, cycle nutrients, retain moisture, and support a complex web of microorganisms that help plants thrive. Each session in this three part series this spring will focus on different key elements of healthy soils on an urban farm. Participants will gain key insights on how to build their soils for agricultural success.
Crops require different nutrients to thrive. This workshop will highlight the practice of crop rotation. At Village Family Farm, growers and gardeners will learn more about the importance of changing what you grow each season by location to restore nutrients in the soil and see these practices on the farm.
**This event is outdoors on a working farm where you will be surrounded by nature. Ground and terrain may be uneven on the farm. We recommend comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat.**
This workshop will take place rain or shine. In cases of extreme weather, we will contact you 24-36 hours prior to the event if we need to cancel.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Compost
2025-05-10 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | South Chicago Farm, 9000 South Mackinaw Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60617, United States
Compost: It all starts with the soil! Join us during International Compost Week to learn how to make nutrient dense compost for your farm. We will break down sourcing materials, composting methods, and how to build and manage a small-scale compost system.
All Workshops include:

Introduction
Demo
Hands-on Time
Handout
Free Tour Voucher

FAQs:

How can I get a reduced ticket?

We offer reduced-cost tickets in exchange for 3 hours of workshare. Use the coupon code WORKSHARE to check out. All workshare hours must be completed a week prior to the workshop. If they are not, the ticket holder will be charged the remaining $75 for a full-cost ticket.

What should I bring?

A water bottle filled with water; sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat if it’s sunny or rain gear if it’s stormy; & a snack. UGC will provide all the tools you’ll need to work, but if you have a pair of work gloves, please bring them. Bring any medical device (inhaler, epi-pen, etc) you may need.

What should I wear?

Please wear closed-toe shoes, clothes that you don’t mind getting really dirty (pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended), and bring an extra layer and rain gear–just in case. Please refrain from wearing perfumes/fragrances to protect our bees.

Virtual: The Healing Plate: Food, Health, and Ag Innovation
2025-05-13 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Halifax) | IN
More info / register
This Farm Foundation Forum will explore the growing food-as-health movement and its potential to reshape the food, healthcare, and policy landscapes. Driven by rising healthcare costs and increasing rates of diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, consumers, healthcare providers, innovators, and policymakers are recognizing food not just as a lifestyle choice but as a crucial component of medical treatment and prevention. The conversation has evolved beyond defining what is ‘healthy’ to a broader understanding of food as medicine—capable of preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic diseases. This Forum will examine the implications of this shift for healthcare providers, consumers, policymakers, and farmers.
Panelists
Dr. David L. Katz, is a specialist in Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine/Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine – globally recognized for expertise in chronic disease prevention, health promotion, and nutrition. Katz is the founding director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center.
Erin Martin, Founder & CEO at FreshRX, a gerontologist certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy. Erin is deeply committed to promoting the “food as medicine” philosophy and emphasizing the critical connection between nutrition and soil health.
Paula Martin, food and farming policy specialist at the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, community health coordinator at Taste the Local Difference, and founder of Health Served Well, LLC. Paula brings a wealth of expertise in connecting local food systems to improved community health outcomes.
More expert voices will be joining the conversation—watch for additional announcements coming soon!

Virtual: Cover Crop Basics - Green Cover Seeds
2025-05-14 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | IN
Join us for our Spring Webinar Series to learn how you can have success implementing diverse cover crop mixes into your operation.
Get your cover crop questions answered on these live webinars, hosted on Wednesdays at 12:00pm CST from April 9th – May 14th!
We’ll be covering the following topics:
🌱 Why plant cover crops? What’s the system where they work?
🌱 What cover crop species should you plant?
🌱 How and when to plant cover crops
🌱 Methods for terminating your cover crop
🌱 The basics of biological products
🌱 Ask Me Anything with Keith Berns
We look forward to seeing you there! Register for the webinar series: https://zurl.co/KNTc8
You can catch past recordings on Green Cover Seeds YouTube channel

Soil Testing Basics & Benefits
2025-05-17 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Luling, Luling, TX, 78648, United States
SOIL TESTING BASICS & BENEFITS
Location TBD in Luling, TX | Sat May 17th | 9am-1pm
Soil testing is a key step in evaluating soil fertility and health, and it plays a crucial role in effective land management.
Join Small Producers Initiative to explore the benefits of healthy, organic-rich soil, traditional and innovative soil tests, and real-world case studies on how soil test results can guide farm and ranch management decisions.
WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:

The dynamics and importance of soil organic matter
Understanding traditional soil lab tests, including pH, EC (conductivity/soluble salts), Cation Exchange Capacity, texture, and macro and micronutrients
Understanding the Haney Soil Health Test (HSHT)
Interpreting soil tests and applying results to management strategies
Quick soil health field tests
Best practices for taking a soil sample for analysis

Cost: $10
For More Info: https://www.smallproducersinitiative.org/workshops
This event is open to everyone — farmers, ranchers, landowners and agricultural enthusiasts alike!
Detailed directions and an agenda for this workshop will be emailed to those who register 2-3 days prior to the event. If you do not see that email, please be sure to check your spam. For questions, email loren.mullins@txstate.edu.
INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Ken Mix is the Program director of The Small Producer Initiative at Texas State University and currently teaches entomology, soil health, and crop production, with active research on small producer needs, soil, and water resources. He is a former vegetable producer and currently runs SKM Homestead, a small livestock and mixed produce 50-acre farm in Fentress, Texas.
Kyle Krebs: Lab Services Technician at SPI’s new Soil, Plant, and Animal Health Research Continuum Lab.
Troy Swift: Owner of Swift River Pecans in Lockhart Texas, a 266 acre regenerative pecan orchard. https://www.swiftriverpecans.com/

Introduction to Regenerative Ranching
2025-05-17 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 580 W Weber Canyon Rd, 580 W Weber Canyon Rd, Kamas, UT, 84036, United States
NOTE: This event is made possible by a generous grant from Working Lands Conservation and the NRCS’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Your registration fee supports locally sourced meals each day. Additional funding is available to assist with meal and lodging costs—please contact learn@3springsutah.com for details.
This workshop is designed to help answer the hard questions we face when it comes to the interface between agriculture, water use, land use, and how to improve the natural resources we all rely on for generational success.
This class is geared towards the intersection of livestock producers looking for improved profitability/productivity, state/federal land managers and technicians, environmental advocates, and concerned citizens about soil health and food quality. We all need each other to assist in the regeneration of our landscapes.
Learning Outcomes:

You will come away from this workshop knowing how to identify what a functioning landscape looks like by knowing how to identify functional and nonfunctional ecosystem processes.
Learn the tools of ecosystem management. Particularly, employing the help of living organisms as the ultimate tool to improve forage yields, catch more water in your soils, and improve overall biodiversity over a landscape. We will also demonstrate managing cattle with mobile electric fencing.
Ideas to gain consensus of those needed to truly affect long lasting change in your community to have long term prosperity in rural communities.
Decision making: Cut through the noise. You will learn an innovative way to check if the decisions you wish to make fit into your specific situation. There are a million solutions to any problem, but your unique context will determine what is best for you. Only you can determine your silver bullet.
Create your Holistic Context. This is an innovative approach, pioneered by Allan Savory, designed to help families, businesses, and organizations to identify what they want the quality of their lives to be. Too often we go about our lives not knowing what we value the most and this exercise is critical to have lasting impact on our land, ranches, and natural resources.

This is the introductory course into Holistic Management. We highly recommend also enrolling in our Comprehensive 3 Day In-person course scheduled for September 17th-19th to implement the Holistic Planned Grazing Procedure, Ecological Monitoring Procedure, and Holistic Financial Planning Procedure.
This course has been made possible in part by Working Lands. Working Lands Conservation (WLC) bridges the gap between science and land stewardship to enhance the sustainability of working lands. Through collaboration, research, and outreach, we empower land managers and rural communities with science-based solutions that benefit both people and ecosystems. Our approach is rooted in relationships, ensuring durable, lasting impacts on the land.

Soil Health Workshop Series: Bed Preparation for Summer Crops
2025-05-17 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | 2251 E 73rd St, 2251 East 73rd Street, Cleveland, OH, 44103, United States
Soil is the lifeblood of the farm. Healthy soils support plant growth, cycle nutrients, retain moisture, and support a complex web of microorganisms that help plants thrive. Each session in this three part series this spring will focus on different key elements of healthy soils on an urban farm. Participants will gain key insights on how to build their soils for agricultural success.
Join us at Ka-La Healing Garden Center and learn more about getting your growing spaces ready for the summer growing season.
**This event is outdoors on a working farm where you will be surrounded by nature. Ground and terrain may be uneven on the farm. We recommend comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat.**
This workshop will take place rain or shine. In cases of extreme weather, we will contact you 24-36 hours prior to the event if we need to cancel.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Farm Tour: Bee Cover Crops
2025-05-20 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Village Family Farms, 1662 Crawford Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, United States
AG Futures Cleveland Farm Tours offer an opportunity to see a working farm in action. Each tour will explore a particular theme and hosts will answer any relevant questions you might have about that growing practice. Expect to walk around the farm, see what’s growing and view the infrastructure and tools utilized in operating a successful urban farm. Tours are FREE and open to everyone!
Join us for a tour of Village Family Farms, a vibrant urban farm in Cleveland’s Hough neighborhood and discover how cover crops support honey bees and pollinators! Learn how plants like clover and buckwheat provide nectar, improve soil health, and enhance biodiversity. See sustainable farming in action while exploring ways to create pollinator friendly spaces in any environment.
**This event is outdoors on a working farm where you will be surrounded by nature. Ground and terrain may be uneven on the farm. We recommend comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat.**
This workshop will take place rain or shine. In cases of extreme weather, we will contact you 24-36 hours prior to the event if we need to cancel.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Network – Sierra RCD
2025-05-22 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 9240 South Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA, 93648, United States
Welcome to the Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Network – Sierra RCD event!
Join us for a Farmer-to-Farmer workshop! Tour hedgerows, explore ongoing research, and connect with fellow growers. Learn best practices for improving soil health, increasing crop yields, and discover programs that support your farm.
$60 stipend available for participating farmers!
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your skills and network with the local agricultural community. We look forward to seeing you there!
Details:
📍Walnut Room, Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center, Parlier, CA
🗓️ Date: May 22, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🍽️ Lunch will be served
💵 $60 stipend available for participating farmers!
Contact Information:
📧 Email: Jkanter@sierrarcd.com
📞 Phone: (559) 260- 3802
🌐 Website: https://sierrarcd.com/

The Importance of Soil Health in Pasturelands Field Day, Bedford, IN
2025-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | 1115 E Kenray Lake Rd, 1115 E Kenray Lake Rd, Bedford, IN, 47421, United States
The Importance of Soil Health in Pasturelands Field Day
May 23, 2025
10AM-1PM (lunch included)
Join us to learn about:
-Importance of soil testing pasture and hay ground
-ISDA Soil Sampling Program
-Utilizing cover crops in grazing system
-Grazing heights and pasture management
-Soil test analysis and nutrients needed for quality forage
-Conservation practices for pasturelands
RSVP BY 3pm MAY 19, so we have enough lunch for everyone! Space is limited! FREE LUNCH INCLUDED! To RSVP call SWCD Office: 812-279-8117 ext 3

Conservation Voices Webinar: Mastering the Art of Talking Conservation to Farmers
2025-05-27 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | IN
Register.
Registration is FREE for SWCS members; $15 all others.
Talking to farmers about conservation is one of the most important skills conservation professionals say is needed in the field—and one they’re eager to develop.
With a master’s degree in agricultural education—and as a farmer himself—SWCS Board Member Keith Berns brings valuable insight to this challenge. As co-owner and sales and marketing manager of the thriving cover crop business Green Cover Seed, Keith knows how to speak farmer.
Green Cover Seed seeks to educate first, starting with their salesforce and extending that education to farmers by offering countless resources across media platforms, including guides, articles, and YouTube videos.
In this session, Keith will share how to communicate with farmers in ways that build relationships and move them toward practice adoption.
Join us May 27 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. CT and up your outreach game with this session!

Ladies Night Out: Dig Into Soil Health, Pierceton, IN
2025-05-28 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | 6281 E Van Ness Rd, 6281 E Van Ness Rd, Pierceton, IN, 46562, United States
Ladies Night Out: Dig Into Soil Health-Register by May 23!
Get your Hands Dirty and Have Some Fun!
Join us for a “Ladies Night Out: Dig Into Soil Health” with Purdue Extension and the Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District! It’s your chance to uncover what healthy soil really looks like-from water infiltration and root zones to color, compaction, and the life buzzing below the surface.
When:
Wednesday, May 28, 6PM-8PM
Where: 6281 E. Van Ness Rd, Pierceton, IN 46562
Cost: $20 (Includes Dinner!)
Expect an evening of Fun, Friends, and Fieldwork!
Space is limited-register by Friday, May23rd!
Click here to register now!
Need accommodations or an interpreter?
Contact Emily Kresca at 574-372-2340 or eluc@purdue.edu by May 23, 2025.
We can’t wait to dig in with you!
Tashina Lahr-Manifold
Soil Health Specialist
574-267-7445x 5377
For events & education in our community, follow our social media!

Rooted in Soil Health, Niles, MI
2025-05-29 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | Lehman’s Orchards, 2280 Portage Rd, Niles, MI, 49120, United States
More info / register
Discover the Secrets to Healthy Soil! 🌱 Join us on May 29 from 9 AM – 2 PM at Lehman’s Orchard (2280 Portage Rd., Niles, MI 49120) for a hands-on workshop on the 6 Principles of Soil Health. Michigan native Jeremy Sweeten of Understanding Ag will lead the session. 🌿
Get ready to get your boots dirty as we explore the field together! ☕️ Coffee, donuts, and a boxed lunch will be provided. Tickets are just $5 per person. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from an expert and improve your soil health!

Purdue University: Soil Health Field Day, West Lafayette, IN
2025-06-04 09:30 - 16:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US-52, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, United States
REGISTER HERE.
Location: Purdue University – Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US-52, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Registration: 9:00-9:30AM
Event: 9:30 AM-4:30 PM

Agenda:
9:30 AM – Opening Session “Earthworms & Crop Management”
10:30 AM – Breakout Sessions (in the field)
12:00 PM – Lunch, Panel Discussion & Vendors
1:30 PM – Breakout Sessions (in the field)
3:30 PM – PARP Discussion
4:00 PM – Closing Remarks

Field Rotations:
* Jason Mauck, Mauck Farms – Maximizing light and resources with intercropping
* Christian Krupke, PU Entomology – Exploring effects of varying soil health practices on insects, spiders and more
* Tommy Butts, PU Botany & Plant Pathology – Tips to use cover crops for weed management successfully
* Ray McCormick, McCormick Farms – Innovative cover crop seeding solutions

We’ll see you there!
Purdue University & Cargill Team

Indiana Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program accepting applications from landowners
2025-06-06 08:00 - 2025-07-31 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | IN
PRESS RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS (May 22, 2025) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP through June 6, 2025. As part of this in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), Division of Soil Conservation, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) will be open to landowners.
“The Indiana Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program represents a shared commitment between federal and state partners to safeguard our waterways and strengthen wildlife habitats,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “By reducing erosion, sedimentation, and nutrient runoff, we are not only improving water quality but also creating lasting environmental benefits for future generations.”

The Indiana Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a voluntary federal and state natural resource conservation program that aims to improve water quality and address wildlife issues by reducing erosion, sedimentation and nutrients, and enhancing wildlife habitats. This program is designed to help alleviate some of the concerns of high nonpoint source sediment, nutrient, pesticide, and herbicide losses from agricultural lands by restoring grass and riparian buffers and wetlands to improve water quality, as well as to protect land from frequent flooding and excessive erosion by planting hardwood trees in floodplain areas along rivers and streams.
The Indiana CREP covers the entire state with an acreage enrollment goal of 100,000 acres.
Through CREP, program participants receive financial incentives from the ISDA and the FSA to voluntarily enroll in the program and implement conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land. Eligible practices include:

Permanent Native Grasses Buffers
Hardwood Tree Planting Buffers
Wildlife Habitat Buffers
Riparian Forest Buffers
Grassed Filter Strips
Bottomland Timber Establishment
Wetland Restorations
Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife

FSA is accepting Continuous CRP offers, including CREP, on a first-come, first-served basis through June 6. However, should allotted CRP acreage remain available following the June 6 deadline, FSA will accept offers from interested landowners through July 31, 2025. Additionally, landowners with acres enrolled in CRP set to expire Sept. 30, 2025, can offer acres for re-enrollment. A producer can offer to enroll new acres into CRP and also offer to re-enroll any acres expiring Sept. 30, 2025.
For more information on CRP participant and land eligibility, approved conservation practices and detailed program fact sheets, visit FSA’s CRP webpage. To begin application, i nterested producers should visit their local Farm Service Agency office or reach out to a local ISDA Resource Specialist.

ABOUT ISDA
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) reports to Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith , Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state.

ISDA Media Contact:
Regan Herr
Phone: 317.552.9281
Email: rherr@isda.in.gov

Soil Health & Sustainability for Midwestern Field Staff, West Lafayette, IN
2025-06-09 10:00 - 2025-06-12 17:00 (America/Halifax) | Beck Agricultural Center, 4550 US-52, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, United States
Join us in West Lafayette, IN, for a hands-on workshop tailored specifically for Midwestern field staff focused on advancing soil health & sustainability practices. This event will cover practical, science-based strategies to improve soil function, enhance crop productivity, and support long-term environmental health.
Whether you’re an agronomist, conservation professional, or ag service provider, this training offers valuable insights and field-ready tools to better serve farmers and landowners across the region.
Course Details:

This is an in-person training for three and 1/2 days
It will be held at the Purdue Agronomy Center located at 4540 US-52, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Lunches will be provided to attendees each day
Full details and registration link will be provided soonCome prepared for field work each day, in all soil and weather conditions. We will be outside during hot times of the day. Water will be provided at each field site.

Celebrating Soil and Sun Farm Tour
2025-06-10 17:30 - 20:00, 2025-07-12 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Halifax) | Elmwood Stock Farm, Paris Pike, Georgetown, KY, 40324, United States
Each two-hour farm tour will showcase the joys and secrets of organic farming and will touch on many of the techniques employed at Elmwood Stock Farm, including greenhouse production systems, pastured poultry and pigs, grass-fed cattle and sheep, vegetable growing, soil building, ecologically sustainable agriculture, and beneficial insects, to name a few. You’ll get a taste of daily life here at the farm while learning about the ways we feed our community and the ecosystems that surround us.
About This Farm Tour

This tour will be held rain or shine, except in the event of severe weather.
Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before the event start time so that the tour may begin at 9:00 am.
Directions will be emailed to everyone who registers so that you can find the correct farm entrance and the starting point for this event.
To gain the full experience, wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, pants that allow you to kneel to examine the soil, and protection from the sun, heat, cold, or rain. Bring a water bottle!
This is a working farm, so electric fences are on, children need to be supervised by the adults who brought them, and pets are not allowed.
Bring your cooler and your grocery list, or place an online order with us ahead of time, as the on-farm store will be open at the end of the tour.
Children under the age of 12 receive complimentary tour tickets when attending with an adult.

Elmwood Stock Farm CSA members should register and purchase at least one ticket, and then can add the rest of the family at no charge by contacting the farm directly. After attending the tour, the value of the purchased tour ticket will then be credited to your CSA member account to use for purchasing extra items throughout the season.
About Elmwood Stock Farm
Elmwood Stock Farm, in Georgetown, Kentucky, is a sixth-generation family farm that began as a producer of Black Angus breeding-stock cattle. The cattle are still an important part of the farm ecosystem and farm business, though the farm now produces organic vegetables, fruits, meats and eggs.
Elmwood Stock Farm is committed to healthy and wholesome production of superior, high-quality, fresh farm products. Organic certification and close family involvement ensure that safe and sustainable farming practices are followed, livestock are well cared for, and land and water conservation remain a priority. Elmwood’s produce, eggs and meats can be found at their on-site farm store, farmers markets, local restaurants and grocery stores, and through its CSA Farm Share in Kentucky and Cincinnati.
Book a Private Tour or Virtual Event
Elmwood Stock Farm also offers customized tours for groups of all ages interested in food, farming, gardening, nature, livestock and poultry, and the food-health connection. Please contact the farm to book your own tour or to book one of the farmers as a speaker for your virtual event.

Dig into Soil Health Field Day
2025-06-11 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Ravensholme Farm Preserve, W270S5745 River Road, Waukesha, WI, 53189, United States
Soil Health Doesn’t Have to Feel Muddy
Date: June 11 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Location: Ravensholme Farm Preserve, W270S5745 River Road, Waukesha, WI 53189
Join American Farmland Trust, Tall Pines Conservancy, and members of The Wisconsin Farmland Protection Partnership at Ravensholme Farm Preserve for a Dig into Soil Health Field Day on Wednesday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is open to all conservationists, land trust staff, agencies, and soil health novices and experts.
Learn about on-site soil health practices and agroforestry at Tall Pines Conservancy’s Ravensholme Farm Preserve. Topics will cover conservation partnerships, soil health principles, measuring indicators of soil health, financial resources for implementation, and much more!

Soil Health Workshop & Farm Tour at Urbavore Urban Farm
2025-06-17 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Urbavore Urban Farm, 5500 Bennington Avenue, Kansas City, MO, 64129, United States
Join us for a hands-on Soil Health Workshop & Farm Tour at Urbavore Urban Farm! Learn about soil health best-practices and strategies implemented on this 13+ acre urban farm.
URBAVORE is a biologically diverse farmstead set on 13.5 acres in Kansas City’s urban core. Farmers Brooke & Dan are committed to environmental integrity in all aspects of business & personal life. Energy efficient systems for food production, waste, water and shelter redefine sustainability to build community and ecology. Urbavore Urban Farm is also the homesite of their sister business Compost Collective, through which they divert foodwaste from landfills to create nutrient-dense compost to feed their farm’s soil.
Attendees will learn about their no-till method of farming, use of cover-crops & silage tarps, the integration of livestock to improve soil health, the benefits of compost additions, and the integration of perennials into their farm-scape. Attendees will have a chance for some hands-on work to learn about their bed prep methods! Come eager to learn.
Thank you to Missouri Rural Crisis Center for Sponsoring this event! This event is FREE and open to the public.

Pasture Ecology Workshop, Dubois, IN
2025-06-18 09:00 - 16:30 (America/Halifax) | Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center, 11371 E Purdue Farm Rd, Dubois, IN, 47527, United States
Pasture Ecology Workshop
June 18, 2025
9:00 am – 4:30 pm EDT
Registration Opens April 2
Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center
11371 E. Purdue Farm Rd
Dubois, IN 47527
Topics Covered will Include:
Dung Beetles, Root Structures, Soil Science, Water Infiltration, Soil Health, Bird and GrasslandInteractions, Toxic Plants, SoilMicrobial Life, Plant IDRegister Online under the events tab www.indianabeef.org www.indianaforage.org
Pastures are not just a one-dimensional system used to support grazing livestock. Healthy pastures are full of life both above the soil surface and below the soil surface. In this day-long pasture ecology class, we will look at the entire pasture system and all the life it supports above and below the growing forages.
If accommodations are needed please get in touch with 812-678-4427. Registration closes June 10th
Direct questions to towerj@purdue.edu or 812-678-4427

Women's Learning Circle, Soil Health and Water Quality
2025-06-18 09:30 - 14:30 (America/Halifax) | Farmland Friends Church – Gym, 8311 West State Road 32, Farmland, IN, 47340, United States
This event presents a fantastic opportunity for women interested in learning more about how to enhance soil health and improve water quality in their communities. Join us at the Farmland Friends Church Gym for a day filled with insightful discussions, hands-on activities, and networking with like-minded individuals. A light breakfast and free lunch are included in the day.
Our expert resource professionals will share information on soil and healthy soil management, as well as the value of conservation practices that preserve the integrity of our soils. Whether you’re a seasoned farmer, grower, gardener, or just getting started, there’s something for everyone at this event.
This event is hosted by Women4theLand and sponsored by The Nature Conservancy.
Come prepared to ask questions, share your own experiences, and leave feeling inspired to make a positive impact on the environment. We can’t wait to see you there!

Exploring Regenerative Organic Agriculture
2025-06-20 09:30 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Prairiesun Organic Farm, 46516 316th Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069, United States
Understanding the ROC Framework & Regenerative Organic System Plan

Walk through the three pillars of ROC: Soil Health, Animal Welfare, and Social Fairness.
Learn how Prairiesun Organics implements ROC standards on-farm.

Hands-On Equipment Demonstrations

See a Great Plains No-Till Drill in action—how no-till seeding supports soil structure and reduces erosion.
Watch a Buckeye Vegetable Bedding Machine create optimal growing conditions for organic vegetable production.

Soil Analysis & Testing Best Practices

Learn how to conduct a soil analysis to assess nutrient levels, organic matter, and microbial activity.
Discover practical soil-building strategies for improved fertility and water retention.
Integrating Animals for Holistic Land Management
Explore how livestock enhances soil biology, increases biodiversity, and closes nutrient loops.

Organic Farm-to-Table Lunch

Enjoy a delicious organic meal featuring farm-fresh ingredients from Prairiesun Organics.

Who Should Attend?

Farmers (organic, transitioning, and conventional)
Agricultural professionals & extension educators
Conservationists & sustainability advocates
Students & researchers in regenerative agriculture

Discuss species selection, rotational grazing, and pasture management.

AGENDA
9:30 AM – Check-in & Welcome Refreshments

Guests arrive, check-in, and enjoy coffee and light organic snacks.

10:00 AM – Welcome & Introduction to Regenerative Organic Farming
Speaker: Dr. Angela Jackson, Farmer & ROC Advocate, Prairiesun Organics

Overview of Prairiesun Organics and its commitment to Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) farming.
Introduction to the ROC Framework: Soil Health, Animal Welfare, and Social Fairness.
Q&A session.

10:30 AM – Soil Health & On-Farm Soil Analysis Demonstration
Speaker: [Soil Health Expert Name], Soil Scientist/Ag Extension Specialist

Soil Health 101: Understanding soil biology, organic matter, and nutrient cycling.
Hands-on Soil Analysis:

Conducting a soil test (pH, organic matter, microbial life).
Interpreting test results & improving soil fertility naturally.
Tools & techniques for regenerative soil management.

Q&A session.

11:30 AM – Hands-On Equipment Demonstrations
Great Plains No-Till Drill in Action

How no-till planting builds soil health, reduces erosion, and conserves moisture.
Live demonstration and discussion on usage and best practices.

Buckeye Vegetable Bedding Machine Demo

How this machine optimizes soil structure for organic vegetable production.
Practical tips for integrating no-till practices with vegetable farming.

12:30 PM – Organic Farm-to-Table Lunch & Networking

Enjoy a locally sourced organic meal featuring fresh ingredients from Prairiesun Organics.
Open discussion on applying regenerative principles to diverse farm operations.

1:30 PM – Integrating Livestock for Regenerative Soil Health
Speaker: Angela – Grazing & Pasture Specialist for Poultry

The role of livestock in soil regeneration and carbon sequestration.
Best practices for rotational grazing and integrating livestock with cropping systems.
How to manage animal impact for biodiversity and soil fertility gains.
Q&A session.

1:45 PM – The Regenerative Organic System at Prairiesun Organics

How Prairiesun Organics applies Regenerative Organic Certified® standards in daily operations.
Discussion on cover cropping, crop rotations, composting, and water conservation strategies.
Interactive Q&A with farmers and experts.

2:00 PM – Closing Remarks & Next Steps

Take-home resources on soil health, regenerative organic practices, and ROC certification.
Final Q&A and networking opportunities.

2025 West River Soil Health School
2025-06-25 10:00 - 2025-06-26 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Dry Creek Farm & Ranch, 23630 Wisehart Road, Rapid City East, SD, 57725, United States
The 2025 West River Soil Health School will be held June 25-26 near Caputa, SD, on Shawn and Kristy Freeland’s Dry Creek Farm & Ranch. This school is designed for agricultural producers as well as anyone with an interest in learning how to manage soils for resiliency and profit. The agenda will feature classroom-style presentations from producers and technical experts from across the state and region, as well as hands-on experiences in the field. Area producers will also share their challenges and successes with various methods for improving soil health. The class size ranges from 30-40 people.
This is an in-person only event. No online option will be available.

No Till Drill Field Day, Bloomfield, IN
2025-06-26 01:00 - 14:30 (America/Halifax) | 1076 E Abrams Rd, 1076 E Abrams Rd, Bloomfield, IN, 47424, United States
Join us for an educational afternoon learning how to use Greene County’s new No Till Drill and so much more.
Speakers: Emily Jacobs Wildlife Biologist – How to use the ESCH No-TIll Drill with field demonstration of native planting.
Pat Bittner Vanderburgh Co. farmer- Tips and Tricks for planting multispecies cover crops and care for the equipment.
Register here.
http://bit.ly/4mrdi7h

SWPAC Field Day, Vincennes, IN
2025-06-26 08:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | IN
Southwest Purdue Agriculture Center Field Day
June 26, 2025
Registration will begin at 8:30 am Eastern and we will begin heading to the field at 9:15 am eastern. Lunch will be at 12:20pm.
Speakers and topics for the day include:

Field crop diseases update on research and things to remember this season- Morgan Goodnight, Botany and Plant Pathology
High Tunnel tomato and cut flower research – Wenjing Guan, Horticulture and Landscape Agriculture
Fungicide efficacy trial research on vegetable crops- Cesar Escalante, Botany and Plant Pathology
Purdue Resilient Ag Initiative- Laura Ingwell, Entomology
Pollinator health and pollenizer use in seedless watermelon production – Amy Lynn Bagby, Entomology
Produce food safety update – Scott Monroe, Purdie Extension, and Katheryn Parraga, Food Science
Overview of spray drones in Indiana – Alex Helms and Jackson Shake, Purdue Agricultural Center
Winter canola production – Brian Caldbeck, Caldbeck Consulting
Sorghum as alternative crop for niche environments across Indiana – Tesaye Teferra Tesso, Agronomy
Identifying Genes Behind Protein in Cowpea Seeds – Jean Paul Iyakaremye, Botany and Plant Pathology

Schedule:
8:00 – 8:45am: Registration
8:45- 9:00am: Group Distribution
9:00 am – 12:30 pm: Tour to Horticulture and Agronomic Crops (10 stops on the tour noted above)
12:20 – 1:30 pm: Lunch (provided)
Presentations during lunch include: Diverse Corn Belt – Project Overview and
Dr. Fred Whitford – Horsepower on the Farm: Form Hay-Powered Horses to Gas Powered Tractors
1:30 pm: Adjourn Field Day
1:30 pm PARP and CCH Credits

Registration:
https://tinyurl.com/2025SWPACFieldDay or call Barb Joyner 812-886-0198
The program is free and will include lunch. If interested in PARP credit, you will need to bring your Pesticide ID card and $10 and attend the regulatory topic that will start at 1pm eastern.

Understanding Grazing Pastures & Soil Health
2025-06-26 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Halifax) | Rochester, 8343 E 400 N, Rochester, IN, 46975, United States
This is a free event and will take place rain or shine!

Speakers:
• Jason Tower, Superintendent at Southern Indiana Purdue Ag Center –
Grazing management, cool season pastures and native grasses.
• Chris Gardner, ISDA Resource Specialist –
Soil Health
• Terry Engstrand, White Oaks Bison Farm –
Dairyland Hay Analysis
Event Hosts: Terry and Courtney Engstrand
Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/36a2nzzd

or call: 574-371-5949

Reading the Land: Ecological Monitoring
2025-06-27 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 580 W Weber Canyon Rd, 580 W Weber Canyon Rd, Kamas, UT, 84036, United States
NOTE: This event is made possible by a generous grant from Working Lands Conservation and the NRCS’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative. Your registration fee supports locally sourced meals each day. Additional funding is available to assist with meal and lodging costs—please contact learn@3springsutah.com for details.
This course is a deep dive into the identification of the 4 ecosystem processes observed on the land. This course is designed to help managers and citizen scientists understand what consequences their management decisions have on the health of their land.
We will go over in detail how to monitor the surface of the land via the Basic Monitoring Protocol which is appropriate for landowners and producers seeking to see which direction their land is going.
We will also address, in detail, the Comprehensive Monitoring Protocol which is critical for those seeking more scientific results when dealing with government agencies and environmental organizations.
“If you have not ever monitored your land before, taking the responsibility for monitoring your land and yourself should symbolize a significant shift in your whole approach to management. Almost all stock growers weigh their animals at least once a year. When you realize that the stock functions only as a broker in the marketing of solar energy, it makes more sense to “weigh” the primary agent in this transaction—your land.” -Excerpt From Savory Institute Ebook 13 “Monitoring Our Land”
Learning objectives:

Come away with a deep understanding of the observable characteristics of the Water Cycle, Mineral Cycle, Community Dynamics, and Energy flow on the surface of the land.
Be able to observe soil capping and understand the tools to create a more water absorbable surface.
Understand the difference between Leading Indicators and Lagging Indicators it relationship to Landscape Health and Soil Health.
Be able to “read the land” and know what tools can be used to affect change in your given environment.
Come away with the confidence to institute the Basic and Comprehensive monitoring protocols on your land.
Create a personalized feedback loop to proactively be able to adjust your grazing plans and be able to control for changes weather patterns or decisions that didn’t go according to plan.

This course has been made possible in part by Working Lands Conservation. Working Lands Conservation (WLC) bridges the gap between science and land stewardship to enhance the sustainability of working lands. Through collaboration, research, and outreach, we empower land managers and rural communities with science-based solutions that benefit both people and ecosystems. Our approach is rooted in relationships, ensuring durable, lasting impacts on the land.

SC Farmers Connect - SOIL HEALTH
2025-06-29 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Halifax) | 2847 Southborough Rd, 2847 Southborough Rd, Darlington, SC, 29532, United States
Workshop Highlights:
🔍 Hands-on soil testing demonstrations
🌱 Tips and techniques for improving soil health
🤝 Network with fellow agriculture enthusiasts
🗣️ Expert talks on sustainable farming practices
Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or just starting out, this workshop offers valuable insights and practical knowledge to enhance your farming methods. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how healthy soil can lead to prosperous yields.

Hoosier Chapter SWCS Summer Meeting, Arcadia, IN
2025-07-09 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | 10701 E 281st St, 10701 E 281st St, Arcadia, IN, 46030, United States
REGISTER HERE.
Event Details:
10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.: Conservation Practices at the Edge-of-Field, a guided tour, Rodney Rulon, Rulon Enterprises
Danielle Randles, TNC Regenerative Agriculture Manager
11:30a-11:45a: Travel to park, Strawtown Koteewi Park, Taylor Center for Natural History Museum, Classroom 12302 E. Strawtown Ave., Noblesville
11:45a-12:30p: Diverse Cornbelt Project Update, Emily Usher, Project Manager
12:45p-1:00p: Park staff to provide park information
1:00p-2:00p: Lunch, hike, explore
COST: $10 for SWCS Members/$20 for Non-Members (Waived for ’23-’25 graduates, anyone unemployed and retirees)
REGISTRATION: Due by July 2, 2025

The day begins at Rulon Enterprises and concludes at Strawtown Koeewi Park, 12302 E. Strawtown Ave., Noblesville
Contact: Meg Leader, meg-leader@iaswcd.org
Lunch Grill Out: Please bring a sweet or savory side to share. Drinks, protein, fruit tray and tableware will be provided.

SWCS Hoosier Chapter Mission: Foster the science and art of soil, water and natural resource management.
Promote and practice an ethic recognizing the interdependence of people and the environment.
If accommodations are needed, please contact Meg Leader
