ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is partnering with experts in soil and water management and research to host a field demonstration day. Farmer Brian Hicks’ farm near Tracy, Minnesota is featured as a model for field drainage and greenhouse gas management. Discussions, field tours and presentations will use Hicks’ corn and soybean farm as a backdrop to find creative and sustainable methods farms can adopt to protect the environment.
The University of Minnesota and the USDA plan to release and discuss studies comparing cropping systems and the effects of conservation throughout the Midwest. The goal of the field day is to learn how farm greenhouse gases and future climate change will impact agriculture and surrounding environments. Experts will also compare how management practices on the Hicks farm compare to a natural prairie environment.
The field day is being held rain or shine on Wednesday, July 23, 2014. Scheduled events include:
9:00 a.m. Welcome address and presentations
10:00 a.m. Field tours on greenhouse gases, runoff and drainage management
12:00 p.m. Lunch and discussion on carbon, nitrogen, water and climate change
1:00 p.m. Panel discussion featuring MDA Commissioner Dave Frederickson and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner John Linc Stine
The Hicks Farm is located at 19465 County Road 8, Tracy, Minnesota 56175. Please register online at goo.gl/x8YUND. The event is free and registration includes a lunch, presentations and field tours.
Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture