(SB photo)

(SB photo)

CEDAR RAPIDS – You might think that unless you’re a farmer, this seminar does not pertain to you, but I’m told gardeners and anyone who could be affected by flooding or drought and basically everybody who eats would benefit from the information that will be presented June 6 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

The following is from the Natural Resources Conservation Service:

Learn How Diverse Cover Crop Mixes Can Boost Soil Health During NRCS-Sponsored Seminars

Get the “dirt” on cover crops and soil health from nationally-recognized, soil-health experts, Ohio farmer Dave Brandt and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Agronomist Ray Archuleta, during three seminars across Iowa on June 4, 5 and 6.

“To quote Ray Archuleta, many of our soils are ‘naked, hungry, thirsty and running a fever’,” said NRCS State Conservationist Jay Mar from Des Moines. “These meetings are a great opportunity to learn more about the important basics of soil function and biology, and how diverse cover crops can improve the soil’s ability to infiltrate water, resist drought and erosion, improve nutrient cycling and produce healthy, abundant crops,” said Jay Mar, state conservationist for the NRCS in Des Moines.

Topics will include designing cover crop mixes, cover crop management systems, soil function demonstrations and sharing results from on-farm case studies. The free one-day seminars run from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. No registration is required. Locations and dates include:

• June 4: Boulders Convention Center in Denison.
• June 5: Scheman Building, at Iowa State University in Ames.
• June 6: Cherry Auditorium, Peterson Building, at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

A 45-minute break is provided for participants to eat lunch, which is not provided as part of the seminar. For more information call Iowa NRCS State Soil Scientist Rick Bednarek at 515-284-4135. Maps to the meeting locations can be found at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov.