At the St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District, we are working hard to promote soil health. In pursuit of that goal, we have established a personal, in-depth training series. The “Soil Health Master Series” was developed to teach producers the benefits of soil health for their farm and for the environment. Our small group (five farmers this session) is learning the ins and outs of soil health in a small group setting, meeting one day every other month. They have had the opportunity to attend a field day sponsored by CCSI to see and learn more about cover crops first hand as well as spending time in fields locally where cover crops and no-till have been utilized. The sessions typically begin in a classroom setting with a variety of speakers teaching all aspects of soil health management from no-till to nutrient management. The afternoons are then spent with more “hands on” time in the field.
Our objective is to educate these producers so that they are able to utilize and advocate the practices they have learned. We want them to learn first-hand how to employ the conservation cropping systems having the resources of knowledge and assistance when they need it to help them succeed in their efforts. They then will be able, through their experiences, to educate and assist their neighbors and friends.
Every new acre of land that we can get under cover crops and using conservation tillage means less erosion, better water quality, and a better quality of life for those in our county and counties around us. The “Soil Health Master Series” is one way that our district is succeeding in getting conservation on the ground!