Healthy soil is critical for healthy, productive crops. This workshop will provide growers with practice guidance to address their soil health concerns, and to build healthier soils for long-term success. Topics will include cover cropping, farming in clay, and accessing state and federal resources to confront soil challenges. This event will also feature a farmer panel discussing soil health strategies for climate resiliency. Join us for an engaging day of learning and networking!
Breakfast pastries, coffee, and lunch included!
This event is for commercial and aspiring farmers and growers, New American Farmers, new and beginning farmers. All are welcome to join!
Cost for attendance: Sliding Scale: $10, $15, or $20.
Soil Health Topics and Speakers:
Matt Boucher, ME DACF.
Jason Lilley, UMaine Cooperative Extension.
Meg Mitchell, MOFGA/South Paw Farm.
Amy Sprague, Wolf Pine Farm.
Daniela Aldrich, Dancing Harvest Farm.
Event Goals
- Instruct growers with practical guidance to maintain and improve the health of their soils.
- Support farmers in addressing climate-related soil health challenges in operations of varied sizes and capacities.
- Provide space for farmers to develop professional connections that enhance their resiliency on the land. Have a NETWORKING LUNCH SOCIAL lunch event with different organizations.
Representatives from Maine Farmland Trust, Natural Resources Conservation Service, UMaine Extension, Maine Wellness Programs, Farm Credit East, and Northeast SARE will be available with information for growers.
Schedule
9:00-9:15: Opening Remarks
9:15-9:30: Soil Health Funding Opportunities through NRCS
9:30-10:30- Inter-seeding/Planning for Cover Crops
10:30-10:45- Break
10:45-11:45- Farming in Clay Soil/Maine Healthy Soils Program
11:45-12:45- Pick up Lunch, Visit Tables/Socialize (tables will be open during panels)
12:45-13:45- Farmer Panel
