The Ottawa Conservation District, Outdoor Discovery Center, and Allegan Conservation District are partnering once again to host the 4th annual Cultivating Resilience Farm Field day, on August 17th, 2023 with Morren Crops & Cattle at 10819 Quincy St, Zeeland, MI 49464. This event is developed as part of a number of programs, including the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), the Farmland & Water Quality Conservation Initiative (FWQCI), and Project Clarity. Collaborating partners for this event include the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), and the Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact.

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The Cultivating Resilience farm field day will showcase both common and emerging practices that promote soil health, improve water quality, and give producers practical conservation knowledge that they can use to evaluate and enhance their operations. This year’s event will include rotating breakout sessions that will showcase ways to incorporate forest and riparian management into farming operations, discussions on how to overcome challenges with implementing and continuing agricultural conservation practices, and ways to assess in-field soil health. We are also excited this year to be able to include a live demonstration of how drone technology can be used on the farm.

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As agriculture in West Michigan faces continued challenges – from extreme weather events, groundwater shortages, development pressures, and more – cultivating resilience in our agricultural community is essential. This event is FREE and includes a free lunch and the chance to win some awesome door prizes! Everyone will automatically be entered to win for attending the event, but additional tickets can be earned by visiting our on-site vendor tables! This is also a MAEAP Phase 1 Educational Event and participants are eligible to earn RUP credits.

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Planning for this event is still underway and registration will be available starting mid-June.

 

2023 *Tentative* Field Day Agenda

9:00 am Registration & Light Breakfast

9:30 am – 12:30 PM Rotating Breakout Sessions (45 mins each), including a 30 min networking break after two rotations.

• Ways to Use Forested & Riparian Areas – West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership

  • Nathan Ayers -Savanna Institute & Symon Cronk -Newaygo Conservation District Nursery

• Challenges & Successes with Conservation Practices with a focus on the Morren’s Field Trials

  • Austin & Steve Morren – Morren Crops & Cattle

• Your Soil: Where are you and where do you want to be?

  • March Kopecky – NRCS Regional Soil Health Specialist

12:30 pm Enjoy a free, boxed lunch

1:30 pm Live Drone Demo,  Dirk Boon – Lakeshore Ag & Aerial LLC.

2:30 pm Closing – Stick around for our Vendor Door Prizes!
Obtain your RUP Credits and MAEAP Phase 1 Educational Credit

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Speaker Biographies

*Coming Soon*