Farmers, ranchers, researchers, agricultural business operators and conservationists are invited to participate in a forum on cover crops and soil health 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 18.

In Nebraska forums will be held at nine sites hosted by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and UNL Extension:

• Lifelong Learning Center, Norfolk
• UNL West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte
• UNL Holt County Extension Office, O'Neill
• Alma Municipal Golf Course
• Central Platte NRD, Grand Island
• Syracuse Public Library
• UNL Lancaster County Extension, Lincoln
• South Platte NRD, Sidney
• UNL Saline County Extension Office, Wilber

More than 225 local forums are being held throughout the country in concert with the National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health being held in Omaha, sponsored by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

In addition to providing a venue to discuss local cover crop and soil health opportunities, benefits and barriers, the forums will feature live-streaming video of the national conference opening session featuring presentations by

• Howard G. Buffett of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation,
• Jason Weller, NRCS Chief,
• Ray Gaesser, Iowa Farmer and President of the American Soybean Association, and
• a panel of four leading cover crop and soil health farmers: Dave Brandt (Ohio); Gabe Brown (North Dakota); Dan DeSutter (Indiana) and Clay Mitchell (Iowa). 

NRCS State Conservationist Craig Derickson said the local-level forums will provide NRCS and its conservation partners and stakeholders a platform to more fully organize and enable state and local soil health efforts at the grassroots level.

"The local forums will provide an excellent opportunity for participants to discuss how to build soil health, improve yields, curb erosion, manage pests and build resilience in farming systems here in Nebraska—and to assess opportunities for, or barriers to, the broader adoption of soil health management systems," Derickson said.

Derickson said participants in the local forums will be able to share ideas and recommendations with the leaders, researchers, innovators and policy makers attending the national conference.

RSVPs Requested

RSVPs for the local forums are requested to ensure adequate seating.  Please contact Colleen James with NRCS at (402) 437-4039, colleen.james@ne.usda.gov.