Ear to the Ground 281: Report from the Underground

A journey into southeastern Minnesota’s geological basement reveals that building soil health can help make “clear” and “clean” equal the same thing.

More Information:

LSP’s Soil Health web page
Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article: “The Farmer Who Went Underground”
In July 2022, Aaron Bishop shot this video of flooding in Niagara Cave shortly after a rainstorm.
Ear to the Ground podcast episode 231: Caves Don’t Lie

You can find LSP Ear to the Ground podcast episodes on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes, and other podcast platforms.

**Cavers explore southeastern Minnesota’s karst geology.** (*Photo by Martin Larsen*)

Upcoming Events

December 2023

Tuesday December 5 9:00 am – Wednesday December 6 3:00 pm" data-events-count="1" data-feed-keys="0">

Tuesday December 5 9:00 am – Wednesday December 6 3:00 pm

Premier Soil Health Event

Tuesday December 5 – Wednesday December 6

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Premier Soil Health Event

The Premier Soil Health event is for farmers by farmers. The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition brings national, regional and local soil health experts togetherto provide farmers and ranchers information they can use to improve their operations. Network with other farmers, network with farmer mentors and learn from long time soil health practitioners. For details and to register, click here.

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8" data-events-count="1" data-feed-keys="0">

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8

U of M Soil Management Summit

Thursday December 7 – Friday December 8

U of M Soil Management Summit

The Soil Management Summit emphasizes proven farmer experience and applied science. Straight from the fields, learn how heavier, colder soils aren’t necessarily the challenge they’re made out to be. Hear from no-till, reduced tillage, and cover crop farmers as they share their experiences, so you can be spared the same hard-learned lessons.

The summit features presentations and Q & A with researchers, farmers and agricultural advisors, information from sponsors, and conversations with farmers experienced in different soil health practices.

Those who attend the entire conference can earn Certified Crop Adviser continuing education units (CEUs).

For more information and to register, click here.

Thursday December 7" data-events-count="1" data-feed-keys="0">

Thursday December 7

9:30 am – 3:30 pm: Soil Health Event: Russell Hedrick in Houston County
Thursday December 7
9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Soil Health Event: Russell Hedrick in Houston County
The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition and BW Fusion present a Forum for Soil Health where you will
have the opportunity to hear from Russell Hedrick, who achieved the World Record corn
yield at 459.1 bu/ac and the North Carolina state soybean record at 172 bu/ac.

Russell is a first-generation farmer in the foothills of Hickory, North Carolina, where he farms JRH
Grain Farms, LLC. Russell has been a featured producer in Top Producer Magazine, Furrow Magazine, and on RFD TV, Ag PhD, and National No-till Farmer for profitably farming by reducing fertilizer inputs and using soil health practices on cash crops. In 2017 he won the North Carolina Corn Yield contest, the first person to win in the state using regenerative practices.

Russell’s operation focuses on maximizing profits and direct consumer marketing for all their products, including corn, soybeans, wheat, barley,
pastures beef and pork.

For details, click here.

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Tuesday December 12

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms
Tuesday December 12
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Online Farmer Forum: Exploring Water Management on Vegetable Farms
Join Jody and Mike Lenz of Threshing Table Farm and Dana Swanson from NRCS to explore creative ways to manage water in our changing climate. This forum will include a short presentation followed by questions, ideas and solutions from attendees.
Register here:https://secure.everyaction.com/8R2DmcpyQkOkPANzarGpAA2

January 2024

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Saturday January 13

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Saturday January 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fillmore County Well Screening Clinic
Free nitrate and chloride screenings will be offered onsite, with results available within 15 minutes. While you wait, you are invited to talk one-on-one with water experts about your results, questions, and options. This consultation is free and confidential. If further testing is advised, a voucher for a free certified test will be provided. Questions can be directed to Responsible Ag in Karst Country at responsibleaginkarstcountry@gmail.com.

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