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For release: Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Vilsack (Invited), Weller, McKinney to Speak at NACD Summer Soil Health Forum and Tour July 21-22
Event to Feature Soil Health Industry Leaders and Farmers From Indiana and Nationally
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Registration is open for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Soil Health Forum and Conservation Tour on July 21 and 22 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Monday's Soil Health Forum will open with remarks from USDA Chief Tom Vilsack (invited) and ISDA Director Ted McKinney. NRCS Chief Jason Weller will give give his thoughts and insights on soil health across the country.
Panel discussions focusing soil health will include panelists from all parts of the soil health spectrum. One will feature agriculture industry leaders from organizations including John Deere, Case IH, and Ohio State University, and the American Association of Crop Insurers. A second panel will feature farmers whose success with soil health practices is celebrated throughout the nation, including Dave Brandt of Ohio and Chris Furr of North Carolina.
Three of Indiana's leading soil health farmers will open their farm gates for tours on Tuesday. Participants will have the opportunity to visit one of three farms: - Rulon Enterprises: Economic Opportunities of Soil Health Systems
- Starkey Farms/Little Ireland Farms: Measuring the Benefits of Soil Health for Water Quality/Farming for Soil Health and Upstream from Indy's Drinking Water Source
- Legan Farms: Irrigation and Manure Integration for Soil Health and Water Quality
On Tuesday afternoon, the tour will visit the Indiana State Fairgrounds to visit the "Pathway to Water Quality" watershed demonstration site and the Indiana Soybean Alliance "Glass Barn," a vivid experience of what life is like for Indiana farmers.
According to Jeff Meinders, President of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, "The NACD Soil Health Forum and Conservation Tour will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the soil health outreach efforts happening in Indiana and across the nation." For the latest information on the agenda, tours, hotel, local attractions and to register, visit nacdnet.org/events/summer2014.
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