In response to demand from growers seeking a better understanding of best practices when it comes to the use of cover crops in their farming operations, we are unveiling the first-ever National Cover Crop Summit — a 100% FREE-TO-ATTEND online event focused on equipping you with the knowledge necessary to harness the full potential of a cover-crop system to protect your soil and increase your farm's profits.

Join us this March for this free 2-day virtual event featuring a series of knowledge-building sessions taught by the foremost authorities on covers today. Requiring no travel expense or time away from the office or farm, you will be able to participate from the comfort of your own office through a series of free video sessions.

The presenters to headline this first-of-its-kind online event have been announced, along with their session topics. Additional speakers for this event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Featured Speaker-Anthony Bly, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist

Topics Include:
-How to take a soil sample and send it to a soil testing lab
-How to interpret soil test results and what to do then
-Discuss soil health and applications in the garden

Please contact Anita Hicks at (605) 685-4065 for additional information.

Ag Day 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.

More information at pavilionagday.org.

Don’t tread on me! Explore the world beneath our feet and join us for a day filled with fun investigations and activities! Become a detective and find out what soil is made of and why its health is so important. Discover what hides deep underground, catch soil on the run, and make seed bombs.

All Ages Welcome!
Time: Wednesday, March 27, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Come and go. Plan to stay about 2 hours.
Location: SD Discovery Center
Fee: Members $5, Non-Members $7
Large groups, please call 224-8295 to reserve a visit time.

Topics Will Include:

-Stream Function
-Importance of Healthy Streams
-Causes of Decline In Riparian Trees and Shrubs
-Healthy Grazing Practices
-Improving Water Quality, Bank Stability, Wildlife Habitat, and Grasslands
-Protecting New Plantings

For more information, contact Angie Keierleber at (605) 673-4971 or custer.county@sdstate.edu.

Please contact Cindy Zenk at (605) 280-4190 or sdsoilhealth@gmail.com for more information or to express your interest in attending our meeting!

Learn how weather, soil, and agricultural practices affected the success and failure of homesteading as recounted in Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser from a panel of scientists.

-Todd Heitkamp (National Weather Service Meteorologist)
-Peter Kovacs (Assistant Professor of Precision Agriculture Cropping Systems, SDSU)
-Thandiwe Nleya (Assistant Professor of Agronomy, Horticulture and Plant Science, SDSU)

Numerous factors may cause stress for farmers. This workshop is designed to help farmers and their families understand the signs and symptoms of chronic stress, and how to handle stress for a more productive mindset on the farm.

An evening meal will be provided for workshop participants. SDSU Extension 4-H team members will provide youth programming at each site.

-Identify stress signs and symptoms.

-Practice three everyday strategies for managing stress.

-Make an action plan for managing stress.

-Find out where to go for more help and resources.

-Be provided with brief market and climate forecasts to be better prepared, informed, and ready to take action.

Suzanne Stluka | suzanne.stluka@sdstate.edu
Krista Ehlert | krista.ehlert@sdstate.ed

Guest speaker Trevor Zantow of Leola, SD, will give a short presentation on how he grazes cover crops and then we will open up into an informal discussion. Lunch will be provided, a great opportunity to discuss experiences with other producers!

Please contact Jim Schneider at (605) 765-2575 Ext. 105 for more information.