On October 2, 2014, 80 local members of the agricultural community gathered at Kemland Farms in Volant, PA to learn about Soil Health. The event, coordinated by the Lawrence County Conservation District and Penn State Extension, focused on the importance of cover crops. The feature presentation, given by Dr. Gregory Roth, Professor of Agronomy at Penn State, focused on the Penn State Interseeder and Applicator. Other sessions included:  Summer Cover Crop Options and Benefits by Joel Hunter (Penn State Extension Agronomist), Soil Health and Funding Options by NRCS, and a herbicide plot demonstration by Joel Hunter.

Attendees were also able to network with the various sponsors at the event including T.A. Seeds, Deerfield Farms Service, Inc., Western Reserve Farm Cooperative, AgChoice Farm Credit, Perdue Fencing, Lamb and Webster, Watson’s, and King’s AgriSeeds. Penn State Extension Dairy Specialist, Ginger Fenton, and the local NRCS office were also present with educational displays.

The Conservation District thanks Penn State Extension for their partnership in the event and also both Gary and Jeff McConnell for opening up their farm to host the field day.

Lastly, additional financial assistance for the project was “provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

Attendees looking at a knee high cover crop mix that was planted in August!

Dr. Roth discussing the interseeder at the first session.