Chautauqua County Soil Health Field Day

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

9:15 am - 12:30 pm

Lesch Farms, LLC

4893 West Main Road (Tent in Field)

Fredonia, New York

Hosted by: Dave, Irene, John, and Heather Lesch & Family

FREE to attend, no pre-registration required

NYS DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits Available

Field Day Agenda:

9:15 am: Registration, Donuts, Coffee & Beverages provided

9:30 am: Welcome & Introductions

-Discussion on programs available from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service

and Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District to assist with implementing soil health practices.

-Overview of Lesch Farms tillage and cover crop practices. View cover crop interseeder, planters,

 and strip till equipment - Lesch Farms, LLC Field Day Hosts

10:00 am: NY Soil Health Trailer Demonstrations - Healthy soil can reduce nutrient loss from intense rainfall events which keeps crops productive and our water cleaner - Fay Benson, Extension Educator, Cornell University SCNY Regional Dairy Team, Cortland, NY

11:00 am: Weed, Insect and Disease Challenges with Tillage Practice Changes - Farmers make changes to their rotations and tillage practices and utilize more cover crops to create a healthier environment for soil microbes and crops. However, those changes often create an environment that is more desirable to unwanted pests as well. Dan will discuss some of those pests and management considerations to control them - Dan Steward, Field Crop Consultant, WNY Crop Management Association, Randolph, NY                                                                                                                    

11:45 am: View and Discuss Soil Pits Highlighting Soil Health Indicators and How Soil Properties Influence Soil Function - Matt Havens, Soil Scientist, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Belmont, NY

12:30 pm: Opportunity to ask additional questions and receive Pesticide and CCA credits

Please note: Moderate walking required at the field day to view demonstrations. Seating will NOT be provided - please bring your own lawn chair if needed.

NYS DEC Pesticide Recertification Credits are available: Category 1A- Ag Plant, 0.75 points and Category 21- Field and Forage, 0.75 points. Bring your NYS DEC Pesticide Applicator License to receive credits.

This informational program is being organized by: Chautauqua County Soil & Water Conservation District; USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County in cooperation with Lesch Farms, LLC; Western NY Crop Management Association; Pioneer Seeds; Preferred Seed and Lamb & Webster.

Plan to join us to learn more about Soil Health for your farm on Wednesday, August 25^th from 9:15 am until 12:30 pm at Lesch Farms, LLC in Fredonia, NY.