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For release: Thursday, July 17, 2014
Senator Donnelly, Ted McKinney of ISDA Among Leaders to Speak at NACD Summer Soil Health Forum and Tour July 21-22
Event to Feature Local and National Soil Health Industry Leaders and Farmers
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The agenda for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Soil Health Forum and Conservation Tour features an impressive lineup of speakers and tours representing many aspects of agriculture and conservation. The two-day event, to be held on July 21 and 22, will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Monday's Soil Health Forum will kick off the event with a welcome from past NACD president Gene Schmidt, US Senator Joe Donnelly, and ISDA Director Ted McKinney. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Natural Resource Conservation Service will also offer their perspectives.
Panel discussions focusing on soil health will include participants from various stakeholder groups. One will feature agriculture industry leaders from John Deere, Case IH, Ohio State University, the American Association of Crop Insurers, CropLife America, and Agri Drain.
A second panel will feature farmers who are known throughout the country for their success with soil health practices: Dave Brandt of Ohio, Chris Furr of North Carolina, Josh Dukart of North Dakota, and John Aeslichman of Washington. 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 see the "Pathway to Water Quality" watershed demonstration site and the Indiana Soybean Alliance "Glass Barn," which offers valuable insights into the lives of 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 agenda and tours, please visit the NACD website.
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