By Liz Stahl, Extension Educator - Crops, Phyllis Bongard, Educational Content Development & Communications Specialist, and Anna Cates, Extension Specialist in Soil Health
Register now to reserve your spot with the University of Minnesota Cover Crop Academy! This new, innovative program is a hybrid, year-long, statewide course designed for those who work with farmers including crop advisors, consultants, educators, agency personnel, agronomists, ag lenders, and personnel at non-profits, Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices.
This unique opportunity will take a deep dive into cover crops and will be tailored to Minnesota cropping systems and conditions. We will address the challenges and opportunities associated with using cover crops in Minnesota and attendees will be able to participate in research trials members develop to help address some of the unknowns around cover crops.
The academy will kick off with in-person meetings at Research and Outreach Centers (ROC) in Lamberton, Waseca and Crookston in June 2024 (attend the site of your choice). You will visit cover crop research plots and learn about what is and is not working in your region. Bi-monthly webinar meetings that dive deep into cover crop topics will follow. The Academy will wrap up in May 2025 with a final in-person session where you will be able to see results from trials you helped develop as an attendee.
This program is brought to you by University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service, General Mills, and the Minnesota Office of Soil Health.
This unique opportunity will take a deep dive into cover crops and will be tailored to Minnesota cropping systems and conditions. We will address the challenges and opportunities associated with using cover crops in Minnesota and attendees will be able to participate in research trials members develop to help address some of the unknowns around cover crops.
The academy will kick off with in-person meetings at Research and Outreach Centers (ROC) in Lamberton, Waseca and Crookston in June 2024 (attend the site of your choice). You will visit cover crop research plots and learn about what is and is not working in your region. Bi-monthly webinar meetings that dive deep into cover crop topics will follow. The Academy will wrap up in May 2025 with a final in-person session where you will be able to see results from trials you helped develop as an attendee.
Cover Crop Academy Schedule
- June 2024: In-person meetings at the ROC of your choice (attend only one)
- June 18, Southern Research and Outreach Center, Waseca (in conjunction with the SROC Agronomy Field Tour)
- June 20, Northwest Research and Outreach Center, Crookston
- June 27, Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton (in conjunction with the SWROC Cover Crop Field Day)
- Online sessions, 10:00 a.m. to noon
- July 9, 2024: Developing a cover crop plan. Discuss cover crop species selection, seeding methods, and seeding rates. Determine regional cover crop research treatments.
- September 10, 2024: Managing weeds and cover crops. Learn about herbicide residuals and carryover concerns with cover crops and best management practices for cover crop termination.
- November 19, 2024: Managing soil fertility in cover crop systems. Learn about nitrogen management, manure applications and reduced tillage in cover crop systems.
- January 14, 2025: Avoiding cash crop issues after cover crops. Discuss planter specifications and modifications and insect pest issues. Learn from a famer panel about what to expect in the spring.
- March 11, 2025: Where’s the easy button to get started? Discuss easy entry points in the crop rotation, and special topics based on participant interest.
- May 2025: In-person meetings at the ROC of your choice. Course wrap-up, including a visit to your small plot trials to assess results. Dates to be determined.
Registration
The cost to participate in the UMN Extension Cover Crop Academy is only $75, thanks to our program sponsors. For more details and to register, go to Cover Crop Academy (https://z.umn.edu/CCAcademy).Register by June 10, 2024 to reserve your spot for one of three locations: Waseca, Crookston, or Lamberton. Registration will be limited and filled on a first come, first served basis. Note, all attendees are expected to participate in the entire program, and certificates of completion will be awarded at the final session.
This program is brought to you by University of Minnesota Extension, with support from the Minnesota Natural Resources Conservation Service, General Mills, and the Minnesota Office of Soil Health.
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