DEFOREST, Wis. (Feb 14, 2020) — Yahara Pride Farms will hold its annual Watershed-Wide conference on March 5 at the Comfort Inn and Suites in DeForest, the farmer-led conservation group announced today.
The event will showcase speakers on a variety of topics in modern sustainable agriculture. Experts from within the Yahara Watershed and across the state will share information that can be applied to farms locally and beyond.
More than 100 farmers, agribusiness professionals and community members are expected to attend this free educational event. The public is invited.
A presentation by Yahara Pride Farms field consultant Patrick Murphy and resource manager Dennis Frame will update farmers on current programs.
Information will be distributed to farmers on how to enroll in the 2020 cost-share program and what will be offered. Farmers will also be able to sign up to use the manure tanker, tractor, and low disturbance manure injection tool bar purchased in partnership with Dane County, Yahara WINs and Clean Lakes Alliance. 2019 cost-share checks and performance summaries will be distributed.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and Kyle Minks will provide an update on ongoing county initiatives designed to move conservation forward while protecting the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
A keynote by Mark Aquino, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) secretary director, will focus on the DNR’s relationship with the farmer-led watershed movement and how the agency views this collaborative model as a way to make environmental progress.
There will be an expert panel of farmers that will discuss conservation best practices and lessons learned. The panel will touch on manure application, composting and unique applications of cover crops and conveyance systems.
Finishing out the day will be a presentation from Kevin Shelley from the UW Nutrient and Pest Management Program, about the environmental and economic impacts of planting over-wintering cover crops after corn silage.
In addition to presentations, the event will include lunch sponsored by Compeer Financial and a snack break sponsored by Endres Insurance.
Sponsorships are available for qualifying agribusiness and conservation partners. Go to yaharapridefarms.org for the complete schedule. Online RSVP is required by February 28.
Details:
Thursday, March 5, 2020
DeForest Comfort Inn & Suites (North Star Conference Center)
5025 Co. Hwy V, DeForest, WI 53532
Conference Agenda
10:00 a.m. | Registration, booth viewing
10:30 a.m. | “YPF program update”
11:30 a.m. | “Wisconsin DNR and the farmer-led watershed movement”
12:00 p.m. | Lunch
12:45 p.m. | Partner updates: Yahara WINs and Dane County
1:00 p.m. | “Conservation best practices and lessons learned”
2:00 p.m. | “Considerations for planting over-wintering cover crops after corn-silage: Environment and economics”
2:30 p.m. | Adjourn