Farmers and ranchers don’t sit still. There are always chores to be done. But there’s also thinking to be done. How can food producers tweak their operations to decrease input costs, increase crop yields, and improve food quality?
Finding answers to those questions is the goal of the annual Soil Health Symposium, an all-day learning and networking event, February 6th at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. Preview the symposium agenda and register now at www.payetteswcd.org.
“We are excited to bring two nationally respected speakers to the 14th Soil Health Symposium to talk about regenerative agriculture and the vital connection between soil health, plant health, and human health,” said Jo Anne Smith, chair of the Payette Soil and Water Conservation District.
John Kempf is a leader in innovative soil and plant management systems and host of the Regenerative Agriculture podcast. Dan Kittridge has been practicing regenerative agriculture for more than 30 years with a goal of improving nutrient density and the quality of the nation’s food supply.
Kempf and Kittridge will discuss ag practices to optimize plant nutrition that leads to optimum food nutrition for both livestock and people. Regenerative agriculture can also reduce the need for insecticides and fungicides, saving producers money.
The Payette Soil and Water Conservation District, founder of the Soil Health Symposium, received a grant from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to educate ag producers and the public about the Payette County Nitrate Priority Area. What does that designation mean, and why does it matter?
“Idaho’s food producers have a vital role to play in maintaining our water quality,” Smith said. “Maureen Pepper, Idaho State Water Quality Specialist with NRCS, will explain how reducing nitrogen applications can help limit leaching of nitrates into groundwater.”
The 14th Soil Health Symposium runs from 8:30 to 4:30 Thursday, February 6th at the Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario. Cost is $50 per person, including a hearty lunch. Register now at www.payetteswcd.org.
Adams Soil and Water Conservation District is a co-host of the annual soil health symposium.
