Field Day Information
When: August 21, 2008
Where: Houlton High School - Bird Farm
Time: 9:15 AM - 2:00 PM
The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District held a field day on August 21st, 2008 at the Bird Farm at Houlton High School. The field day was entitled Winter Cover and Beyond - - Fertilizer Efficiency, Energy Conservation and Reduced Tillage and featured guest speakers and equipment demonstrations. A report of the days events will be coming soon.
Schedule of Events
9:00 - 9:15 AM - Registration
9:15 AM - Welcome
9:30 - 10:00 AM - Cover Crops and Legumes.
With the increase in energy costs on-farm and off, there are alternative rotations that can be explored to reduce inputs or open new potential markets that may partially alleviate some of the energy crunch.
Andrew Plant - University of Maine Cooperative Extension
10:00 - 11:00 AM - Fertilizer Efficiency.
Agronomist and crop consultant Lauchlin Titus will discuss knowing what the soil, previous crop, and organic matter amendments (including manure) will provide for your next crop for nitrogen and how to conservatively calculate how much to use for the next crop.
Lauchlin Titus - AG Matters
11:00 - 12:00 AM - BBQ Lunch and Recognition of Winter Cover Project Participants with Steve Winnett of the Environmental Protection Agency.
BBQ Lunch with local fixing's will catered by Country Bakery of Bridgewater at a cost of $5.00 per person.
12:00 - 1:00 PM - Roller/Crimper Talk and Demonstration.
Farm consultant and educator Mark Fulford will demonstrate and discuss a roller crimper, a piece of equipment that enables farmers to plant directly into a cover crop without tilling or using herbicides.
Mark Fulford - Teltane Farm
1:00 - 2:00 PM - Zone Tilling Talk and Demonstration.
Vegetable farmer Andy Williamson will demonstrate and discuss his zone tiller which he has been using since 1995. Soil benefits from zone-tilling are many, but include increased soil quality and a big reduction in erosion.
Andy Williamson - County Fair Farm