Immediate Release
January 30, 2012
Batavia, Ohio. Local farmers are invited to attend a Soil Quality and Cover Crop Workshop on Friday, March 2, 2012 to discuss the benefits of improving soil health in southwestern Ohio. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the East Fork State Park Office, located at 3294 Elklick Road in Bethel. Those interested in attending the workshop must register by February 24, 2012, and prepay $9 for a boxed lunch. To register, mail a check or drop one off to the Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, 1000 Locust Street, Owensville, Ohio 45160.
“There is a renewed interest in cover crop usage across Ohio,” says Lori Hillman with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service. “The soils in southwest Ohio present some unique challenges for local growers; winter cover crops can help improve soil quality and control erosion.” Many farmers are switching back to this established practice to reduce their dependence on fertilizers and herbicides. Other benefits provided by cover crops include increased crop yields, reduced fertilizer costs, pest and weed control, and increased drought resistance. Deep rooted cover crops, such as tillage radish, improve water infiltration and alleviate soil compaction, which are major issues in the Southwest region.
“Improving soil health, preventing erosion and other soil factors are critical to the long-term profitability of local corn, soybean and wheat production systems,” said Jim Hoorman with Ohio State University Extension Service, who will present information on efficient planting and aerial seeding methods at the workshop. Other workshop presentations are planned by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Local farmers will also participate in an informal panel discussion to share their experiences planting winter cover crops. “We’re eager to provide a forum for local farmers to discuss which crop types and management strategies work best for our region,” said Hillman.
Workshop sponsors include the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, Clermont and Brown County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Clermont County’s Office of Environmental Quality, Ohio State University Extension and the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development. For more information, visit the website www.Clermontswcd.org or call 732-7075.
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For additional information about this or other county news, contact Clermont County Communications Director Kathy Lehr at (513) 732-7597 or by e-mail, klehr@ clermontcountyohio.gov.