Soil Health Initiative
A long running program to promote education and practice through hands-on demonstrations and field exercises on rolling cover crops, soil pit investigation, and rainfall simulation on healthy and not-so healthy soils. Healthy soils, rich in organic matter, drain better, have greater disease resistance, and better water holding capacity in times of drought.
CT RC&D hosts workshops, educational events, and pilot programs in partnership with USDA NRCS staff, who provide valued expertise and instruction to attendees. Events are held around the state, typically on working farms and are highly attended by agricultural producers, non-profit, federal, and university staff.
FIND OUT MORE
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Click the button below for a downloadable PDF of the Soil Health Brochure.
Click the button below for a downloadable PDF of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Connecticut Soil Health Strategy.
BCS Tractor Training & Compost Tea Making
Mark your calendars! 📆 On October 10th, CT RC&D and partners will be hosting an informative field day at Veteran-owned and operated Artza Mendi Farm, covering BCS Tractor Training & Compost Tea Making on the Farm.
The first portion of the day will include a training on how to safely operate a BCS tractor and attachments, followed by networking & refreshments. The second half will include an overview on making compost tea and its importance. Come for either portion or stay for both! Free to attend; all are welcome! Registration required: use QR code or visit www.bit.ly/BCSCompostTraining to register.
Funding for this project was paid for by the Climate Smart Farming: Agriculture and Forestry Grant. Funding awarded and administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
Let It Grow: Cover Crop Challenge
Improve your farm's soil health by joining the Cover Crop Challenge. We are offering technical assistance, crop cover seed and a soil test by UConn for farmers interested in improving their soil health. First come, first served and limited avilability. Click here to sign up.
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Previous Events
Agroforestry & Soil Health Field Day
Soil Steaming Demonstration
CT RC&D is partnering with UConn Extension, CT DOAG, & NRCS to host a soil steaming demonstration at Fort Hill Farms.
Are you interested in learning more about soil steaming, a technique that uses steam to prepare soil for planting in high tunnels, greenhouses, and open fields? Join us on Tuesday, April 30th from 1-3 pm at Fort Hill Farm in New Milford, CT to learn about the soil steaming practice, costs, and benefits! Refreshments provided. This event is FREE, but please preregister by 4/26 at s.uconn.edu/soilsteaming.
Additionally, can you update the compost page on our website. Remove the registration link and replace it with the Alliance’s webpage. Noting you can find the electronic Conference program, presenter’s PowerPoints and select video recordings from the day. https://www.ctcompostalliance.org/2024conference
2024 CT Compost Conference
Cover Crop Challenge
On-Farm Field Day
Urban AG Conservation Tour
Soil Health & Conservation Farm Equipment
2023 Climate Smart Agriculture
2022 Connecticut Hemp Fest
2022 Connecticut Compost Alliance Events
Cover Crop Challenge: "Let it Grow"
A Conversation about the benefits of growing cover crops to their full potential
Is your Farm in Northwest CT? Are you interested in hearing more about the Cover Crop Challenge (2021) conversation? Click Below to learn more.
Virtual Farm Field Day with Adamah Farm
Unable to join the webinar? No problem, you can watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/mNBse2EM_eE
2021 Connecticut Hemp Webinar
Soil Health Workshops: 2020 Connecticut Compost Webinar Series
February 26, 2020 Connecticut Hemp Conference
Over 270 attended Connecticut's first annual Hemp Conference and Trade Show!
On February 26, 2020, CT RC&D, along with planning partners USDA NRCS and UCONN Extension, brought together advocates, cultivators, and businesses interested in the emerging hemp industry. The conference covered healthy soils practices, local policy and regulations, Connecticut field trial results, as well as innovative production markets. This event provided valuable resources for local producers and farmers seeking connections in the state as well as knowledge about local issues and opportunities. This event was generously sponsored by the CT Department of Agriculture and CT Farm Bureau Association.
August 14, 2019 Workshop: Silvopasture & Agroforestry 101
Speakers:
Joe Orefice, Hidden Blossom Farm
Jeff Jourdain, Consulting Forester
Jim Hyde, USDA NRCS CT
Bill Purcell, USDA NRCS CT
Andrea Urbano, CT DEEP Forestry
Want to learn more?
As part of the workshop, we have developed a resource guide for Silvopasture and Agroforesty. This includes helpful links and contacts.
August 9, 2018 Workshop: Healthy Soils = Profitable Soils
Soil Health Workshop Speakers & Presentations
"Your ration is as good as your forage: outside the box to improve forage quality" - Tom Kilcer, Advanced AG Systems
"Double cropping: making money on both ends of the season" - Tom Kilcer, Advanced AG Systems
"Hybrid trials & nitrogen rates on high manure corn fields" - Johnny Hoffman, Oakridge Dairy
April 26, 2018 Workshop: Organic Soils = Healthy Soils
Soil Health Workshop Speakers & Presentations
"Cover Crop Systems at Sub Edge Farm" - Rodger Phillips, Sub Edge Farm
"Introduction to Permaculture" - Cynthia Rabinowitz, NW Conservation District
"No Till Production" - Julie Rawson & Jack Kittredge, Many Hands Organic Farm
"The Importance of Compost & Compost Tea in Soil Health" - Leighton Morrison, Kingdom Aquaponics, LLC
"Integrating Pollinator Habitat Into Your Farm" - Kimberly Stoner, CT Ag Experiment Station