The conference convenes every other year on the even-numbered year to discuss and develop solutions to issues of national concern to the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

Participants of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) include representatives from the 1862 land-grant universities, experiment stations, NRCS, USFS, NPS, BLM, BIA, EPA, USFWS, National Association of State Conservation Agencies (NASCA), National Association of Consulting Soil Scientists, the 1890 land-grant universities, and western tribal colleges. Other interested foreign and domestic groups, such as lead scientists from Canada, Mexico, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia are invited to participate as users of soil surveys. We also welcome students and their contributions to the future of soil survey.

The purpose of the Governor's Agricultural Summit is to bring together leaders in business, finance, education, government, and production agriculture to demonstrate agriculture's comparative advantages and discuss ways to harness the industry's potential for economic development.

The Summit is open to anyone who is interested in the ways agriculture impacts South Dakota. There is no cost to attend.

From 8:45 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., SDSU Researcher Graig Reicks will share SDSU research results from interseeding.

From 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 am, Iowa farmer Loran Steinlage, will discuss “How to start inter seeding cover crops with cash crops to improve soil health and profitability.”

Break, 10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m., Dr. Jon Lundgren, co-founder of Blue Dasher Farm, will discuss the farm’s work.

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. noon, farmer Loran Steinlage talk about “How to increase cropping system diversity by inter seeding cover crops with corn, soybeans, wheat and other small grains.”

Complimentary noon meal, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

1-2 p.m., Blue Dasher Farm Researcher Mike Bredeson and Dr. Jon Lundgren will discuss “The Power of Plant Diversity in Pest Management.”

2-4 p.m., Visit to an inter seeded field in the area, led by Blue Dasher Farm staff.

If you plan on attending and staying for the noon meal, please RSVP for the meal count, by 11 a.m., CDT, Friday, July 6, to Cindy Zenk, South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Executive Director, cindy.soilhealth.sdconservation.net, 605-280-4190