event, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Conservation Districts
annual Expo, will provide an opportunity to see first hand the unique
cropping strategies and proven sustainable soil conservation methods he
uses. Cedar Meadow Farm has been selected as the 1998 Outstanding
Cooperator of the Year, by the Lancaster County Conservation District
and has also been chosen as 1 of 9 farms in the nation to be a "Harmony
Demonstration Farm", of Foundation Earth,
http://farm.fic.niu.edu/earth/home.html ) promoting the adoption of
technologically advanced and environmentally sound farming practices.
The theme for the field day is, "Tools for Transitioning" - Equipment
and methods of transitioning to less tillage and pesticides for a more
environmentally friendly, profitable cropping system. The all day event
will feature ways to practically increase profits, save soil, and reduce
pesticides in both agronomic and vegetable crops.
Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), and 30 local
ag businesses and equipment dealers are helping to sponsor this field
day.
Several nationally known soil conservation experts will be sharing
information on how to best transition to a cropping system that
increases soil quality and minimizes erosion. Dan Towery, Natural
Resources Specialist from the Conservation Technology Information Center
in West Lafayette, Indiana, will give a national perspective on soil
conservation trends. Warren Thompson, National Forage Specialist for
America’s Alfalfa, Kentucky, will discuss no-till establishment of
alfalfa and forages as well as grazing strategies. Soil Quality
Researchers, Dr. Ray Weil and Joel Gruver, from the University of
Maryland, will be sharing the results of the soil quality work they have
done at Cedar Meadow Farm.
“Scouting from the Sky” is the Precision Agriculture topic for Marty
Campfield,
Nutrient Solutions in Agriculture.
Participants can look at direct seeded crops and vegetables as Steve
discusses how and why the system works and how he has reduced his
pesticide usage in half. He will also share his methods for
transitioning to less tillage without yield loss and the various cover
cropping and crop rotation strategies he uses.
Local equipment dealers will demonstrate no-till planters, drills and
conservation tillage tools. The Buffalo Rolling Stalk Chopper (used to
mechanically control cover crops) and the No-till Vegetable Transplanter
and will be used to plant broccoli during the field day.
New this year is a food grade soybean trial by the Rodale Institute.
Free water testing, Farm Safety for Kids, and children’s activities are
also planned.
“This Field Day is designed to give farmers practical information on
transitioning to a profitable and sustainable cropping system”, says Mr.
Groff. “I want people to take home at least one idea that they can apply
to their farm to improve the quality of their soil so that future
generations will also have the opportunity to earn a living from the
land”.
The event is free, open to the public, and no registration required!
Check out website for more info: http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com
Directions: From the intersection of 272 and 372 (south of Lancaster),
take 372 west 4.5 miles to Hilldale Rd. Turn right. Travel 1.5 miles to
Cedar Meadow Farm -on the right.
Phone: (717) 284-5152 e-mail: sgroff@epix.net
-- Attend our 5th annual Field day, July 29th. Check website for details! "New Generation Cropping Systems": the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com Steve Groff Cedar Meadow Farm 679 Hilldale Rd Holtwood PA 17532 USA Ph. 717-284-5152
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