Soil Health workshop is set

     The Soil Health Partnership and local sponsors are hosting a Soil Health Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center on the Jones County Fairgrounds, 800 N Maple Street in Monticello.

     The event targets local farmers and agronomists and will feature guest speakers as well as a panel of farmers. Discussion topics include overall farm profitability through improved soil health, cover crop planting and management, economics of soil health practices including reduced tillage, and making agriculture more sustainable. CCA credits will be offered to crop advisors and agronomists.

     Scheduled Speakers include Doug Peterson, soil health specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service; Sarah Carlson, Midwest cover crop director with Practical Farmers of Iowa; Virgil Schmitt, ISU Extension field agronomist; and David Muth, co-founder and senior vice president at AgSolver Inc. The farmer panel includes producers from Dubuque, Linn, Jackson, Delaware, Benton and Clinton counties.

     Registration is free and begins at 9:00 a.m. with light breakfast refreshments. A catered lunch will also be provided around noon.

     If you would like to attend, RSVP is required by phone or email by February 9 for a meal count: 319-462-3196 Ext. 3 or joseph.wagner@ia.usda.gov.