Farmers Encouraged to Attend Door-Kewaunee Demo Farm Event Sept. 7

Todd Koss of Koss Ag LLC demonstrates how he uses a soil probe to determine depth to bedrock during a field demo day held by Peninsula Pride Farms in April 2016. Photo by Jim Lundstrom.

The newly announced Door-Kewaunee Demonstration Farm Network will hold its first field day on Sept. 7.

Featured practices are tailored to farms in Door and Kewaunee counties but are applicable to farms across the state with similar conservation goals.

The Door-Kewaunee Demonstration Farm Network is a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in cooperation with Peninsula Pride Farms, a farmer-led environmental stewardship organization. This network of farms will demonstrate the best conservation farming practices to protect the Great Lakes. Groundwater and surface water quality are top priorities for the farmers in the network, who contend with shallow, fractured bedrock that can provide a direct path for contaminants.

The network will test how specific conservation practice systems reduce erosion and sedimentation, control phosphorus runoff, increase organic matter and improve soil health in these conditions. This initiative will involve many partnerships to provide educational opportunities for the public, farmers, land managers, agribusiness, natural resource agencies and research organizations.

“We want to open a window to other farmers and the public to see what we’re trying to do to continuously improve our conservation practices,” said Tony Brey, whose dairy farm in Sturgeon Bay will be one of the demonstration farms. “Some of what we are doing is experimental and we realize not all of it will work. But if we aren’t willing to try new approaches, we will miss out on great opportunities for improvement.”

Farmers from Door and Kewaunee counties are encouraged to attend this event; however, farmers from neighboring counties are also welcome. The event is free thanks to the support of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Peninsula Pride Farms and DATCP. Go to peninsulapridefarmsinc.org for the complete schedule.

Details:

Thursday, Sept. 7, Deer-Run Dairy, LLC, N1225 Sleepy Hollow Road, Kewaunee

9 am: Welcome and introductions

9:20: Soils pit – Jamie Patton, UW-Extension

10: NRCS rainfall simulator

10:30: Low-disturbance manure applications

11:20: Working lunch

12:20: Closing remarks

RSVPs appreciated: Aaron Pape, UW Discovery Farms, [email protected], 920.366.2194