AGENDA:

Midwest State Updates

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Ontario, South Dakota, Wisconsin

MCCC Partner Updates

SARE, National Wildlife Federation, Practical Farmers of Iowa, North East Cover Crops Council, Southern Cover Crops Council, CTIC

Keynote Speakers

Clark Seavert, Economist, Oregon State University
Voices of the 1930’s: When the Soil Blew Away – Darrell Ritchison, Interim Director, NDAWN

In celebration of National Agriculture Week, March 18-24, 2018, the Washington Pavilion will be hosting its 15th Annual Ag Day. This event gives children and families a wonderful opportunity to learn about agriculture’s significance – in South Dakota and beyond. Our exhibits are exciting, educational hands-on activities – great for the whole family! A free lunch is offered, featuring South Dakota-made products.

-5:30 FREE SUPPER

-6:00 WELCOME
FSA, NRCS & Conservation District Updates

-6:15 Estate Planning: More than just Documents
Danci Baker, Legacy Consultant, Keep Farmers Farming

-6:50 Best Management Practices for Improving Soil
Health & Profitability
Bryan Jorgensen, Jorgensen Land & Cattle

-7:45 Tree Maintenance by Chemical
Nathan Kafer, Agroforester, Div. of Resource Conservation & Forestry

The Our Farms, Our Future Conference, hosted by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program and the National Center for Appropriate Technology ATTRA program will be held on April 3-5, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri.

This national event will bring together our diverse agricultural community including farmers and ranchers, agribusiness stakeholders, students, researchers, scientists, agency representatives and nonprofit leaders. Every decade SARE hosts a conference to look at the progress of sustainability in agriculture and to understand our trajectory for the future.

SD Envirothon is a natural resources education competition for high school students. Bring your team of 5 to the competition in Sioux Falls! For more information contact Kim Smeenk at kim.envirothon.sd@gmail.com or check out our website at www.sdenvirothon.org! See you there!

-The Professionals and Youth Range Camps seeks to educate attendees about the productive potential of the rangeland based on the ecological range site, the similarity index of the range plant composition and the management practices that will support sustainable multiple uses.

-Participants will be able to better determine the economic value of the rangelands as well as the production and conservation practices that will improve or sustain this precious resource.

Join us on the prairie in central South Dakota to watch, photograph, and record bird species, livestock and wildlife on Perman's Rock Hills Ranch and Sieck's Deep Root Ranch.

-Hear presentations from land owners and conservation experts.

-Learn about the unique connections between birds and livestock.

-Enjoy two days on the beautiful central South Dakota prairie.

-Bring your family, kids are welcome!

Contact Judge Jessop at (605) 280-0127 for more information.

Tour Stops: Jeff and Drew Hemmer's & Jerry Houselog
Nationally Recognized Speakers: Jay Fuhrer and Ray Archuleta

-Soil Demonstrations
-Equipment
-Lunch
-Producer Panel

Contact one of the following to RSVP:
-Flandreau NRCS (605) 997-2949 Ext. 3
-Pipestone NRCS/SWCD (507) 825-5478 Ext. 3

Please see flyer for additional details.

Program Includes:

-Evening Meal 5:00-6:00 PM
-Presentation By Ray Archuleta To Follow

RSVP By June 1st

For more information or to RSVP contact Shane Jordan at (605) 472-1437 Ext. 3.

Program Includes:

-Field Tour of Dakota Lakes

-Nationally recognized speakers highlighting soil health practices:

Ray Archuleta
Dr. Dwayne Beck
Dr. Jose Guzman
Dr. Cody Zilverberg