Cover crops can improve soil health, but choosing the right species and management strategy starts with hands-on experience. A Cover Crop Field Day on Thursday, Aug. 13, near Bladen, Nebraska will give participants an opportunity to build practical skills through outdoor demonstrations and field-based instruction.
The free, one-day training is intended for field professionals who work with farmers on cover crop implementation, though anyone interested in learning more about cover crops is welcome to attend. Participants will rotate through learning stations focused on cover crop identification, soil health assessment, conservation planning and practical management topics.
The field day will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Green Cover Farm. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to register by Thursday, Aug. 6 as this event is limited to 50 participants.
The event is a collaboration among Nebraska Extension, Green Cover, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Midwest Cover Crops Council.
Field Day Agenda
- 9–9:30 a.m.: Overview of Green Cover's cover crop plots — Keith Berns, co-owner of Green Cover.
- 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Rotating hands-on sessions covering cover crop mix design and species selection with Katja Koehler-Cole, Nebraska Extension statewide soil health educator; soil health management and field assessments with Carlos Villarreal, USDA NRCS Nebraska state soil scientist; and designing cover crop mixes for selected purposes with Corey Brubaker, USDA NRCS Nebraska state conservation agronomist.
- 12:30–1 p.m.: Lunch.
- 1–1:30 p.m.: Overview of the NRCS Cover Crop Standard (340) and program requirements — Corey Brubaker.
- 1:30–3 p.m.: Additional rotating field sessions on soil health management, cover crop mix design and cover crop identification.
- 3–3:30 p.m.: Review and wrap-up.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for certified crop advisors.
Registration and additional information are available on the event registration page. Questions may be directed to Claire LaCanne. Green Cover Farm is located at 918 Road X, Bladen, NE 68928.
