Events

The Dry Lake Chapter of Pheasants Forever will be hosting a FREE Conservation Programs workshop for anyone interested in learning how conservation can help increase your operations’ bottom line. Gain valuable information from experts in identifying options that could make your marginal cropland acres more profitable, and opportunities to help ranchers keep grasslands on the landscape.

Supper served at 6:00 PM with talks to follow.
Topics:
- Identifying alternative uses for unproductive acres
- How to identify your pasture’s capabilities
- Maximizing pasture and grazing efficiency
- Increasing your property’s wildlife potential
- Specific program options available

Please join us December 7-8, 2017, for the second National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health, held at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana. This meeting will be a great opportunity to learn recent developments in how cover crops are being used by innovative farmers across the country and gain important insights on improving soil health from producers, conservation leaders, and scientists.

Whether you are contemplating cover crops for the first time, or you have years of experience and want to interact with soil health and cover crops innovators, this program will provide you with valuable information, networking, and learning opportunities.

Gabe Brown’s passion is to share with others the joys of regenerative agriculture. Brown is excited to see so many others interested in healthy soil which leads to clean air, clean water, healthy plants, healthy animals and healthy people.

Monday December 11, 2017 Hot Springs, SD
Tuesday December 12, 2017 Chamberlain, SD
Wednesday December 13, 2017 Crooks, SD
Thursday December 14, 2017 Watertown, SD
Friday December 15, 2017 Aberdeen, SD

Dave Pratt is one of the most sought-after speakers and respected authorities on sustainable ranching in North America. His programs, which include the Ranching For Profit School and Executive Link, have benefited thousands of families and millions of acres.

Cost: Admission is FREE to SD Grassland Coalition members. The cost for non-members is $30 per person which includes a one-year Coalition membership. RSVP by Dec. 8th: Please contact Judge Jessop at 605-280-0127 or judge.jessop@sdconservation.net.

Soil Health Workshop
Featuring: Jerry Doan & Jay Fuhrer

Learn from the experienced and successful!
Jerry Doan is owner and operator of Black Leg Ranch near Mckenzie, North Dakota who has transformed his operation which supports multiple generations and received the 2016 Leopold Conservation Award.
Jay Fuhrer is a NRCS Soil Health specialist in North Dakota who has helped lead the soil health movement and has also incorporated soil health principles and intensive grazing management on his own operation.

Speakers

Pat Goetzinger
Because You Can’t Take It With You:
Traditional Estate Planning Basics and New Tax Rules Explained
Lawyer at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, and Ashmore Firm

Dr. Dwayne Beck
Integrated Crop and Livestock Systems
Research Manager, Dakota Lakes Research Farm

Dr. Dustin Oedekoven
Bovine Tuberculosis, Animal ID, and Other Animal Health Updates
South Dakota State Veterinarian

Dr. Amanda Blair
Avoiding Discounts: Understanding how pre-harvest stress impacts beef quality
Associate Professor, Meat Science, South Dakota State University

Guest Speakers Sponsored by Soil Health Coalition
David Brant & Jim Faulstich

David Brandt farms 1150 acres all no-till, in Fairfield County, Central Ohio. He began no-till farming in 1971 and has been using cover crops since 1978. David has participated in yield plots for corn, soybeans, and wheat into various covers.

Day Break Ranch, Highmore, South Dakota (Beef Cattle Ranch) Jim and Carol Faulstich have a long history of ranching and stewardship. For over 30 years, they have been active in conservation issues from local groups such as 4-H Livestock Committee and the Hyde County Weed Board, conservation districts to state and national groups such as the NRCS State Technical Committee, SD Grassland Coalition and the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.

The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is pleased to announce the date of our upcoming Annual Meeting! Please join us to see how we are working to fulfill our mission of improving soil health in South Dakota.

Featured Speakers Include:
-David Brandt
-Allen Williams
-Joe Breker
R.S.V.P’s are appreciated for planning purposes.

The SDSU Extension will host the Power of Women as AgVocates Conference on January 19-20, 2018, at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites, Fort Pierre, SD. This conference is designed for women to learn about the "The Power of Advocating for You, Your Family, Business, and Industry.” The conference will be filled with networking, learning, and growing for women involved in agriculture.

David Brandt is a soil health pioneer who farms in Fairfield County in central Ohio. He began no-till farming in 1971 and has been using cover crops since 1978. David has participated in yield plots for corn, soybeans and wheat into various cover crops. David has received numerous awards for conservation practices.

10:00 AM-1:30 PM Program Includes:

-Session By David Brandt
-Jason Miller, NRCS Agronomist
-Farmer Panel, discussing their adoption processes