K-State Research and Extension will host the SEK Soil Regeneration Initiative Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southeast Research and Extension Center located at 25092 Ness Rd. in Parsons.
This collaborative event will focus on using cover crops and measuring soil health as a way to enhance farming operations in Southeast Kansas. The workshop will be a free, in-person event and will feature a tour of cover crops in the field, including cereal rye, ryegrass, spring oats, winter oats, vetch, mustard, wheatgrass, crimson clover, oilseed radish, and wheat.
Dr. Bruno Pedreira, Southeast Extension specialist, will give a talk on “Connecting Cropping and Livestock Systems.” K-State Agronomy Graduate Student, Carlos Pires, will give a presentation on “Can Cover Crops Regenerate Your Soils?” presenting information on cover crops and soil health and microbiology. Following a field tour, participants will be led through soil health measures using the Soil Health Buckets developed by the Kansas Soil Health Alliance.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Health Specialist Candy Thomas, and Jennifer Simmelink, coordinator for the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, will guide participants in soil health measurements and practices to improve soil quality. Specific tests will include soil aggregate stability (important for water infiltration and retention), soil infiltration (important for water cycling), rainfall simulation (demonstrates the potential for erosion), and soil temperature.
This event, including lunch, is free. Please register to attend. Call 620-724-8233 or email jcoover@ksu.edu. It is sponsored by K-State Southeast Kansas Research & Extension, K-State Research & Extension Wildcat District, Bartlett Co-Op, and Kansas Soil Health Alliance.
An informational flyer can be downloaded from the Wildcat District website at www.wildcatdistrict.ksu.edu. For more information, contact James Coover, crop production agent, jcoover@ksu.edu or 620-724-8233.
