Steve Lawler’s family operation emphasizes soil health.
EYOTA, Minn. — Test plots, interseeding and grazing cover crops, fencing around crop fields, pollinator plantings and transitioning to organic will be the focus of a Land Stewardship Project (LSP) field day Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lawler farm near Eyota (930 70th Ave. NE). Although much of the Lawlers’ home farm is organic, the test plots are managed conventionally, and the field day is open to all producers. The event is free and lunch will be provided. To reserve a spot, contact LSP’s Maura Curry at 651-249-6308 or mcurry@landstewardshipproject.org, or visit bit.ly/LawlerFieldDay.
Directions: From Highway 14, turn north onto 55th Avenue NE, then take a right on Collegeview Road E., and a left on 70th Ave. to arrive at the home farm. The field day will take place at University of Minnesota test plots down the road from the farm.
Steve, Tim and Joe Lawler operate a seventh generation row crop and beef cattle farm. The Lawlers believe that in order to be true stewards of the land, soil health and regeneration must be the foundation of their enterprises. Steve is a registered soil scientist and has worked in the private sector, along with various state and federal agencies, promoting, researching and implementing soil health and conservation best practices. Tim has a degree in agronomy and spent his early years in Brazil educating and working directly with farmers and ranchers. He recently retired from a career in agribusiness. Joe has a degree in accounting and works in the energy sector.
Besides providing a look at their use of soil health practices to raise crops, the Lawlers will present information on their livestock production enterprise. Nutrient management, grazing and watering considerations will be discussed. Along with cover crop and livestock integration, the Lawlers would like to share other practices they have implemented, including no/minimum-till, shelterbelts, rotational grazing and stream bank fencing.
For information on other LSP soil health workshops and field days being held in the region this fall, see https://landstewardshipproject.org/upcoming-events.
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