Get the Scoop from the NRCS Soil Health Demo Farm Field Day in Dodge County

Attendees looking at soil physical and biological properties in a diverse cover crop mix after winter wheat at the Lennemann NRCS Soil Health Demonstration Farm near Snyder – Aug. 30 (Photo Credit Fernanda Souza Krupek)

Field Day on August 30 Showcased Local Value of Soil Health

Positioning your farm to become more resilient to extreme weather includes focusing on long-term soil health. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and Nebraska Extension in Dodge County hosted a Soil Health Farm Field Day on Friday, August 30 at 8:30 am, 3 miles south of Snyder at the Lennemann Farm.

Speakers discussed the following topics during the field day:

Welcome – Brach Johnson (NRCS Conservationist) and Bill Lennemann (Demo Farm Producer)
NRCS Soil Health Demonstration Farms – Aaron Hird (NRCS Soil Health Specialist), Andrea Basche (UNL Assistant Professor), and Fernanda Souza Krupek (UNL Graduate Student)
Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District and NRCS Cost Share Programs – Curt Becker (LENRD Projects Manager) and Brach Johnson (NRCS Conservationist)
Winter Wheat Production in Eastern Nebraska – Nathan Mueller (Nebraska Extension Educator)
Demo Farm Walk and Talk
Forage Crop Options and Value in Crop Rotations – Daren Redfearn and Mary Drewnoski (Nebraska Extension Specialists)

40 area landowners, farmers, private industry, and government/university staff attended the field day to gain a better understanding of soil health and conservation practices that can help improve soil health over time.

The field day started at 8:30 am with registration at the demo farm which is located 3 miles south of Snyder on Highway 79 and ¼ east on County Road G. The demo farm field day ran from 9:00 to 11:30 am. The field day was free and attendees even had some breakfast (donuts, coffee, orange juice).