ROLLINGSTONE, Minn. — Ways farmers can build soil health will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) field day Wednesday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Rory, Richard and Sharon Beyer farm near Rollingstone (18622 Dixie Drive). Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and a noon barbecue lunch will follow the event. To reserve a meal, contact LSP’s Shona Snater by July 24 at 507-523-3366 or ssnater@landstewardshipproject.org.

DIRECTIONS: The farm is ½ mile east of the intersection of Winona County 27 and Dixie Drive (2.5 miles southeast of Altura, 5 miles southwest of Rollingstone and 7 miles northwest of Lewiston).

The Beyers milk cows as well as raise beef, crops, hay and pasture. They transitioned their dairy to organic in 2009. Focused on soil health, the Beyers test and monitor soil carbon levels through on-farm soil health monitoring techniques, including the Haney Soil Test.

This field day will include information for both organic and conventional farmers. There will be discussions on utilizing on-farm soil testing and how to break weed cycles with cover crops, as well as how to plant cover crop cocktails to extend the grazing season and adapt crop rotations for soil building.

Justin Morris, the Minnesota and Wisconsin Soil Health Specialist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, will lead a conversation on how to reach the full potential of improved soil health. In addition, crop consultant Jerry Scheppele will discuss the relationship between carbon and soil health, and how to use that relationship to increase fertility and yield.

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