Soil is both the literal and figurative foundation of your farm.

Because soil management is an integral skill on successful sustainable farms; producers should develop an understanding of basic soil principles and implement soil management practices that maximize soil biology, structure, and nutrition. This online workshop will present agricultural soil basics, complemented by a showcase of real-world sustainable soil management practices from real farmers and knowledgeable speakers. In-person farm tour will be offered after!!

ONLINE WORKSHOP AGENDA: (9:00 am -12:00 pm CST)

Tim McCoy, District Conservationist-Paola KS, USDA-NRCS: Basics of Soils (30-45 min)

Cary Rivard, Associate Professor and Center Director, K- State Research & Extension: Rainfall Simulator (15 min)

Krista Jacobson, Associate Professor of Organic Specialty Cropping Systems, Kentucky University: Nutrient Management (45 min)

Mike Rollen, Owner of Ophelia's Blue Vine: Lead Remediation and Revitalizing My Urban Farm (30-45 min)

Hilary Noonan, Mad Hatter Compost Tea: Building Diversity in the Soil (45 min)

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IN PERSON FARM TOUR: (2:00 pm - 3:00 pm CST)

Farm Tour of Westport Commons Farm with Dan Krull

Please note: We will be following CDC guidelines and practicing safe social distancing and requiring masks. Directions, farm address and parking information will be sent to those who register.