Conservation district to host farm tour

August 13, 2024

RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — The Mason-Lake Conservation District will hold its annual Farm Field Day on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. The free tour will begin at Riverton Township Hall, 2122 W. Hawley Rd.

While the event is meant for farmers, it is open to the public as well. The tour will include a bus tour to two Mason County farms and a catered dinner to follow the tour. While the event is free, a donation is welcome to help cover dinner costs. An RSVP is requested by Thursday, August 15 by contacting the Mason-Lake Conservation District at 231-757-3707 ext. 107 or email Technician Andrew Booher at andrew.booher@macd.org.

The event is an opportunity to learn about different farming practices with a focus on effective no-till management, a practice of planting and managing a crop field without tilling it, to build and preserve soil quality. Whether a farmer wants to learn about best management practices, or a landowner wants to learn more about the farms in his/her community, there is something for everyone.

Specific topics will include an overview of no-till practices and systems, selecting seed traits for a farming operation with no-till, as well as results from in-depth study of regenerative agriculture, provided by Michigan State University Extension.

There will be an in-field walk and talk and testimonies from local farmers who have implemented these practices. The program will require some walking across fields and extended periods of standing, so participants should dress accordingly and plan to bring a portable folding chair if they need.

Also of importance will be a discussion on programs offered by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Services Agency and how they can benefit farms.

The goal of the field day is to increase increase landowner awareness of these topics, programs and emerging research.

The field day is possible, in part, through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, held by the Conservation District. MAEAP is a voluntary program serves as a guide to farmers and landowners looking to prevent environmental risk and implement conservation activities on their land. Acres Co-op of Scottville is also helping to sponsor the event. This event has been approved for participants to receive credit for a MAEAP Phase One Event and has been approved as well for three Restricted Use Pesticide Credits (RUPs), which will be given out for completion of the tour at the end of the night.

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