Farming for the Future Field Day 2024
Digging deeper into irrigation, ground cover and soil.
Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(Registration from 9:30 - 10 a.m.)
West Michigan Research & Extension Center
5185 N. Oceana Dr., Hart, MI 49420
In collaboration with Oceana Conservation District, Oceana County Farm Bureau, and Michigan State University Extension, this field day will showcase tools and techniques for understanding and managing irrigation, parasitic nematodes, soil quality and health, soil amendments, and silviculture with discussion for how to evaluate profitability of practices using partial budgeting. Presentations will be indoor and outdoor at the asparagus plots and apple and sweet cherry blocks. Invited speakers will bring their expertise from across Michigan through the Oceana Conservation District, Michigan State University, West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership, and Morgan Composting.
We will hold the first demonstration of the FarmDroid in Michigan. The FarmDroid is a fully automatic field robot. It is an autonomous seeder and weeder that uses solar energy and GPS to plant vegetable seeds and mechanically weed during the growing season. In addition, we will demonstrate soil amendment applications in partnership with Morgan Composting.
Registration includes morning refreshments, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and a promotional item. Pesticide applicator, Certified Crop Advisor and MAEAP Phase I credits have been requested for this meeting.
Registration begins at 9:30 - 10 a.m. with program beginning at 10 a.m.
Costs:
Early Registration (on or before August 12th) $15.00
Late/On-Site Registration (after August 12th) $20.00
Accommodations
Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by contacting the event contact two weeks prior to the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Contact Information
For more information, contact the Oceana MSU Extension Office at 231-873-2129; Emily Lavely at lavelyem@msu.edu; or Kathy Walicki at walicki@msu.edu.