Indianapolis, IN – The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), with the support of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, will hold a National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health December 7 and 8, 2017, at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Conference highlights include:
- Nearly half of the conference speakers are farmers. Fourteen farmers from nine states will share experiences growing cover crops in their regions.
- Conference headliners include national leaders, published authors, a panel of expert farmers, and practitioners who will provide information on soil erosion and soil health.
- Representatives of eight different universities will present the latest cover crop research results to attendees.
- Agribusiness presenters and exhibitors will show how cover crops expand business opportunities. The event will provide continuing education units (CEUs) for Certified Crop Advisors.
Over 40 presenters will speak in a variety of informative breakout sessions, including introduction to cover crops; advanced practices such as planting green and interseeding, grazing cover crops, managing herbicide resistant weeds with cover crops, and use of cover crops in horticulture and organic operations; and latest approaches on measuring soil health, building soil organic matter, and understanding soil biology.
Participants may choose from six breakout tracks, including:
- Basics of Cover Cropping
- Advanced Cover Cropping Insights from Farmer Experts
- Digging into Soil Health
- Cover Crop Role in the Cropping System
- Economic and Environmental Aspects of Cover Crops
- Special Topics on Cover Crops and Soil Health (organic, specialty crops, grazing, and policy)
“This conference is an opportunity for farmers, certified crop advisors, conservation professionals, and others to obtain the latest information on cover crops and soil health,” says Clare Lindahl, CEO of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, who is hosting the conference with support from the Howard G. Buffet Foundation. “Providing a platform for those using and studying cover crops to share their information leads to the successful implementation of cover crops and healthy soil.”
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit three local farms to see soil health operations in action. These farms include Rulon Enterprises, Little Ireland Farms, and M&J Starkey Farms.
Registration, which includes two days of dynamic presentations, lunch and refreshments, an attendee packet containing Howard G. Buffett’s 40 Chances book, an exhibitor reception, and tours, is only $90 for farmers and $150 for non‐farmers if submitted by November 7, 2017. There are a limited number of registrations available for students at a discounted rate of $50.
The conference is located at the world‐class Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing, just a short drive from downtown and directly connected to The Fashion Mall at Keystone, consistently ranked the #1 shopping destination for Indianapolis locals and visitors. A Holiday Shopping Guest Outing is available for spouses and guests of conference attendees. The outing is free of charge, but requires an RSVP.
###
Soil and Water Conservation Society is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization that fosters the science and art of natural resource conservation. For more information on the Soil and Water Conservation Society mission, programs, and events, visit www.swcs.org, or follow on Facebook at /soilandwaterconservation or Twitter @swcsnews.
For More Information:
For more information, visit www.swcs.org or contact Kim Johnson‐Smith, the conference organizer with the Soil and Water Conservation Society, (515) 289‐2331 x112 or kim.johnson‐smith@swcs.org.