SPRINGFIELD FIELD TOUR TO PROMOTE BENEFITS OF IMPROVED SOIL HEALTH, WATER QUALITY

Hannah Ferguson

Oct 30, 2015  |  Today's News

Cover crops, conservation tillage and water quality testing are some of the latest farming buzzwords—but they are catching on for good reason. These activities can potentially improve yields and economic return for Illinois farmers, while reaping substantial environmental benefits in the process. 

The Soil Health Partnership and Illinois Corn invite farmers to attend a tour of several locations in the Lake Springfield watershed for live examples of tools to help improve soil health and water quality.  Tour stops will feature cover crops, bioreactors and several field plots on Friday, Nov. 6.  

The tour begins at Lincoln Land Community College at 9 a.m. Later in the morning, busses will take participants to the farms of Dave Moose and Tim Seifert, and also to the United States Geological Services Monitoring Site for a Watershed Management program update. The day will conclude at 2:45 p.m.  

The field tour will demonstrate how a combination of practices can create lasting environmental benefits while possibly increasing farm productivity and income. The day’s activities will include:

• Field walks

• Water quality monitoring equipment demonstrations

• Education on bioreactors

• Agricultural watershed management programs

• Discussions on practical means to improve soil health and water quality 

An initiative of the National Corn Growers Association, the Soil Health Partnership works closely with diverse organizations including commodity groups, industry, foundations, federal agencies, universities and well-known environmental groups toward common goals.

“Our partnership with farmers puts good soil practices in real-life environments for others to see,” said Nick Goeser, SHP Director. “More importantly, we are gathering the scientific data needed to truly quantify that these positive actions are making an impact both for the producer and in our environment. Improved yields, environmental betterment and economic gains are all benefits of progressive soil management strategies.”

Please register for this event by contacting Lyndsey Ramsey at (309) 557-3279 or lramsey@ilfb.org.   Lunch will be served.

Join us on these additional upcoming field days hosted by IL Corn where farmers can learn more about the best management practices that promote soil health and water quality!

Geff, IL November 3-4

McLean, IL November 5

Springfield, IL November 6

Trivoli, IL November 9