On August 21st the Vigo County SWCD partnered with Clay and Sullivan Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

We held a Cover Crop/Soil Health day at Carter Farms by Lewis, IN in Vigo County.

We had about 50 people attend the event from farmers, seed and fertilizer dealers, Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Indiana State Department of Agriculture. 

Our speakers were:

Barry Fisher - State Soil Health Specialist/ Agronomist, Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS)

David Schroer - Ceres Solutions, Crop Specialist

Mike Werling - Multigeneration farmer from Decatur, IN. Mike uses a three-year rotation of corn, soybeans then wheat or oats.  Mike uses No-Till and covers crops also to help build soil health.

Jim Luzar - Purdue Extension

Farmer Panel:

Phil and Rick Castlen -  Farm around 3,000 acres NE of Owensboro, KY. They have won the National Corn Growers contest for Kentucky in 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012.

Phil Carter - Vigo Co. SWCD Board of Directors

Casey Evans - Vigo Co. SWCD Board of Directors

Denny Bell - Vigo Co. SWCD Board of Directors

Topics that were covered:

Cover Crops Basics, Marestail, Soil Pit, and Success with cover crops after small grains