Farmers and ranchers are invited to the 2018 Farming Evolution program February 13-14 at the Phillips County Event Center in Holyoke, Colo. Topics will include no-till, cover crops and grazing livestock on cropland as part of a whole-farm and whole-ranch plan.

Both days begin with registration at 7:30 a.m. and the program at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday will close at 4:30 p.m., followed by a one-hour social. Wednesday will end at 3 p.m.  

Keynote speaker Allen Williams, a board member of the Grass Fed Exchange, specializes in whole farm and ranch planning for a healthy agricultural system.  He has consulted with more than 4200 farmers and ranchers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South America and is featured in the YouTube video series Soil Carbon Cowboys. 

Williams will discuss the complexity and diversity of soils, showing how what you do on the soil surface affects what happens below the surface. He’ll share how to get better water infiltration and water-holding capacity in soils.  More soil water means more organic matter and healthier plants. 

Also speaking will be Jonathan Lundgren, founder of Blue Dasher Farms. Lundgren will look at why it's important to have a diversity of plants and insects and how biodiversity can be used to manage pest populations.  

Tying directly into the topic of biodiversity will be Julie Peterson, Nebraska Extension entomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research looks at the impacts of beneficial insects on Colorado and Nebraska cash crops.  In particular, she has looked at the western bean cutworm and western corn rootworm. She believes her findings will help create robust and profitable agroecosystems.  

On day two, Williams will address how to implement the ideas discussed on day one. A working session will help producers figure out ‘How can I do this?’ and provides for personalized consultations with Williams.

Registration

To registser go to www.farmingevolution2018.eventbrite.com.  Registration is $25 for one day or $35 for both days prior to Feb. 3 and increase by $10 after that date. Registration includes lunches, breaks, and a Wednesday evening non-alcohol social. Lunch is not guaranteed for registrations after February 9.

Farming Evolution sponsors are The Haxtun, Sedgwick, West Greeley and Yuma County Conservation Districts, the Upper Republican Natural Resource District, NRCS and Phillips County Pheasants Forever.