LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
Train the Trainer
NO-TILL & COVER CROP IMPLEMENTATION
FIELD WORKSHOP
A USDA - SARE professional development opportunity focused on preparation for and implementation of no-till and cover crops.
Thursday, October 21st, 2021
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Rutgers Snyder Research Farm
140 Locust Grove Rd, Pittstown, NJ 08867
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The day-long field workshop will train mid-Atlantic agricultural service providers to better support farmers who are preparing for and implementing in-field soil health practices. The workshop run by North Jersey RC&D builds upon a previous 5-part webinar series and will focus on solutions to soil health implementation impediments, advanced cover crop practices, and innovations in the field of sustainable agriculture. It will include a field demonstration of how soil conditions, crop rotations, and equipment influence planting conditions with a wide variety of planting equipment on display.
This workshop is offered free through the support of USDA-SARE.
Space is limited and enrollment will be capped at 50 participants. Classroom portion of course will be held outdoors under a tent. Field demonstration included. Register now.
TOPICS INCLUDED IN THE WORKSHOP
No-till Equipment Upgrades | No-till Planting Conditions | Advanced Cover Cropping: Planting Green, Roller Crimping, and Grazing | Cutting Edge Regenerative Farming Innovations | Soil Health Measurement and Analysis
Lectures from
Leading Experts
Steve Groff, owner and founder of "Cover Crop Coaching" and author of the book, "Future Proof Farm" will discuss how agricultural service providers can better support farmers and how the farmers across the world are innovating to accelerate soil health gains.
Dr. Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State University Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics, is a national leader in no-till and cover crop research and will share the latest results of a field trial evaluating grazing cover crop.
Christian Bench, farmer and agricultural specialist with 10+ years of experience assisting farmers to implement soil health practices, will discuss strategies on how to talk to farmers about soil health and provide quick answers to the most common questions.
In-field
Demonstrations
Equipment display: A wide variety of agricultural equipment, including new and older planters and drills and different types of roller crimpers, will be on display.
In-field planting demonstration: Participants can compare impacts of planting conditions without cover crops, with dead cover crops, and through living cover crops (Planting Green).
Trial different types of soil sampling and analysis equipment: Participants will have opportunities to compare soil data from multiple sampling methods and labs and compare data of field monitors, drones, and satellite imagery.
Interactive
Discussions & Activities
Roundtable discussions focused on soil health implementation, impediments, and solutions with other agriculture service providers in the region.
Networking opportunity for federal, state, county, non-profit, and for-profit members of the agricultural community.
course instructors
Christian Bench
Agricultural Specialist
North Jersey RC&D
Sjoerd Duiker
Ph.D., CCA
Penn State University
Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics
Bridgett Hilshey
Agricultural Specialist
North Jersey RC&D
WHO is this for
The training is designed for anyone who regularly works with farmers and is interested in supporting no-till and cover crop management.
The training is designed for agricultural service providers including staff of NRCS, FSA, soil conservation districts, extension, and non-profits involved in agricultural conservation. It is also appropriate for private agricultural sector staff including seed and chemical dealers, crop advisers, and custom operators. The curriculum will be tailored for all skill levels from beginner to advanced by focusing on critical thinking and discussion.
Already consider yourself an expert? Then take part in the discussions and share your expertise! These workshops are a unique opportunity to interact with and learn from, personnel across all sectors of the agricultural service industry from the public, private, and non-profit.
Want to test your knowledge?
Check out our 5-minute quiz to see how you score.
covid precautions
During this fully outdoor event, participants will adhere to state-wide COVID-19 precautions
The workshop will take place under a large tent out in the field. All state-mandated COVID-19 precautions will be adhered to and participants will be expected to follow social distance and mask-wearing guidelines.
Attendance will be capped at 50 participants.
what are the extra benefits of the course
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No-Cost Program: Lunch Provided & Travel Stipends Available: The workshop is available free of charge to agricultural service providers in the Northeast thanks to the generous support of a USDA-SARE Professional Development Grant. Lunch will be provided. Participants of the online workshop series held during the fall of 2020 can also apply for travel stipends for accommodations and mileage.
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Continuing Education Credits
Participants who complete the workshop are eligible for the following CEC and CEU from the following (Pending Approval):-
Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Credits: 3.5 Nutrient Mgt CEC
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Maryland Nutrient Management Credits:
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Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units: 4.5 Total CEUs
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Free Book
All participants will be provided with a free copy of the book, A Practical Guide to No-till and Cover Crops in the Mid-Atlantic. In addition, the course participant will have the opportunity to contribute information toward the second edition of this book.
register now
Space is Limited.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number: 2018-38640-28415 through the Northeast Region SARE program under project number #ENE19-157-33243
The content for the course was developed in collaboration with:
Cali Alexander
NOFA-NJ
Lisa Blazure
Soil Health Coordinator
Stroud Water Research Center
Michael Braucher
Mohrsville, PA
Brittany Dobrzynski
Stewardship Project Coordinator
New Jersey Audubon
Robert Fulper
Fulper Farms
Steve Groff
Cover Crop Coach
Holtwood, PA
Lamonte Garber
Watershed Restoration Coordinator
Stroud Water Research Center
Jim Hershey
PA No-Till Alliance President
Hershey Farms LLC
Elizabethtown, PA
Kristen Meistrell
Stewardship Project Director - South
New Jersey Audubon
John Nance
Prescription Tillage
Eric Rosenbaum
Rosetree Consulting LLC
Michael Yacovelli,
Farm Foreman
NRCS Cape May Plant Materials Center