Soil health workshop set in Monticello

     Farmers, agronomists, and those interested in learning more about soil health are invited to attend a daytime or evening soil health workshop being offered in Monticello on Feb. 14 at the Citizens State Bank Youth Development Center on the Jones County Fairgrounds, 800 N. Maple St., Monticello.

     Doors open to sign-in for the daytime workshop at 8:30 am. The daytime workshop will go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The agenda for the workshop includes an introduction to soil health by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Soil Health Specialist, Doug Peterson. Ray Archuleta, a soil health advocate, will follow discussing current soil health topics. Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Ag Engineer will add a global perspective on soil health.

     A sponsored catered lunch will be served. Following lunch, central Iowa producer Jack Boyer will discuss how he’s used cover crops to build his soils and improve nutrient availability on his farms. Peterson and Archuleta will also discuss alleviating soil compaction and promoting soil fungi during the afternoon portion. The workshop will conclude around 4 p.m. following a question and answer session. If you plan to attend the daytime workshop, please RSVP to the Jones County Extension Office by calling 319-465-3224 by Feb. 7 to help ensure an accurate head count for lunch.

     The evening workshop will start with registration at 5:30 p.m. with the workshop kicking off at 5:45 p.m. and concluding around 8:00 p.m. The evening workshop will have more of an emphasis on how livestock relate to soil health. The agenda for the evening workshop includes an introduction to soil health by Peterson, a discussion on grazing cover crops by ISU Extension Beef Specialist Denise Schwab, and Archuleta will lead a conversation on livestock and soil health. There will be time for networking and a question and answer session as well. No RSVPs are required for the evening workshop since no meal will be provided.

     Representatives from the USDA’s NRCS, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Division of Soil Conservation and Water Quality, will be in attendance and available to answer questions.  Soil commissioners from the Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson, Jones and Linn Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) will be in attendance as well.

     Certified crop advisors can earn continuing education units for soil and water and nutrient management at both the daytime and evening workshop.  For more information, contact your local SWCD office. The Jones SWCD office is in the USDA Service Center at 300 Chamber Dr. in Anamosa, 319-462-3196, ext. 3.