ATHENS, Ohio — The Athens Soil and Water Conservation District is organizing a cover crop bus tour Nov. 21, thanks in part to a nutrient management grant from OFSWCC and the 4R Initiative.
Cover crops can reduce soil erosion and storm water runoff, increase water infiltration and subsoil water holding capacity, suppress weeds, provide integrated pest management, significantly increase microbial activity and organic matter content, and greatly improve soil health.
Advantages
Combined, these advantages not only improve yields, but many times will decrease inputs like fuel and fertilizer costs.
A charter bus has been rented to take interested landowners to David Brandt’s farm in Fairfield County.
Participants will learn how cover crops can improve their agricultural operation and soil health, visit fields of growing cover crops, view equipment and participate in a question and answer session.
Cost
Pre-registration is required by Nov. 15, and the cost is $15 per person. Registration includes the bus ride, cover crop resource pocket guide and lunch.
The bus will be boarded at the Athens City Pool parking lot, 701 E. State Street, Athens, by 8 a.m.
The return is planned by 4 p.m. that afternoon. Registration will be limited to 50 participants and can be done by contacting the Athens SWCD office at 740-797-9686, ext. 5.
