Sun Shines On Soil Health Field Day

 In 2016 we added a fall soil health field day to our calendar due to the popularity of our spring field day. With incredible weather from August 8th, when seeding began, to November 1st, the day of the field day, the cover crops grew and grew and grew to produce lush fields of green and gold.

The idea for the project started as a conversation between Jim Kreiger, Porter SWCD Board Supervisor, Larry Smith, Halderman Farm Management & Real Estate, & farm manager for the Pinney Clark Family and Matt Maxwell, who farms the ground. With tremendous assistance from Derek Schmitt, the idea blossomed into fields of mixed cover crops including giant radish, turnips, rye, rapeseed, winter peas and the eye catcher of the day---sunflowers in full bloom.

Those sunflowers drew the attention of John Obermeyer, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, Purdue University, who commented that the late bloomers help bees survive the winter better.

Mike Wigginton, NRCS Soil Scientist, focused on the importance of the root system of the cover crops in addressing issues such as compaction and improving the health of the soil overall.

Dan Perkins, Jasper County SWCD “Cover Crop Guy”, addressed equipment options to assist farmers in getting cover crops planted in a timely fashion to maximize their benefits.

Following the educational portion of the field day, guests were treated to lunch courtesy of Farm Credit Mid-America, Valparaiso Branch.The field day was funded in part through a Clean Water Indiana Grant and the generosity of business partners.