May 15, 2009

The tour will begin at 1 p.m. with a demonstration of flaming of weeds in crop fields. Afterward, the use of manure composting and crop interseeding in organic production will be explained and demonstrated — weather permitting. Although the afternoon event is focused primarily on use of these practices in certified organic production, these practices also can be used in conventional crop production.

Tour Location. The tour site at 706 South M Road is located one mile north, four miles east, and 3/4 mile north from the east edge of Giltner. From the Aurora Interstate 80 exit (#332) go 1.5 miles south on Highway 14, four miles west, and 1/4 mile south.

Sponsors. Funding for the workshops is provided by a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund. Local support is provided by the South Central Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council. Additional tours and field days, featuring organic crop and livestock production techniques, are planned in central Nebraska during June. For more information, visit the Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development Web site and click on Upcoming Events. You also can contact the South Central Nebraska RC&D at 402-845-6678 or 308-379-4027 for more details about the tours or for help with organic production or the organic certification process.

The South Central Nebraska RC&D Council, a non-profit organization in partnership with USDA, provides assistance with community-based, educational, and regional projects in Adams, Buffalo, Dawson, Gosper, Hall, Hamilton, Kearney, Merrick and Phelps counties.

Randy Gunn, CoordinatorSouth Central Nebraska RC&D