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.
Save the Dates!
Soil Health & Conservation Farm Equipment
As part of our CT Soil Health Initiative, join us for this upcoming Soil Health Event we will be hosting with partners.
March 2, 2023 1-4pm
Due to an unexpected heating issue at the UConn Extension Center in Haddam, CT we are not able to host the Soil Health & Conservation Farm Equipment event at that location. We appreciate your patience as we redirect and host the event in two parts at other locations in Haddam, CT. Please contact us with any questions. See you this Thursday, March 2, 2023, starting at 1pm. Location details are provided below.
The event will begin at 1pm to view Conservation Farm Equipment on Display & Farmer Discussion led by John Halfinger, Halfinger Farms
Halfinger Farms is located at:
489 Candlewood Hill Rd,
Higganum, CT 06441
1:45pm the event will move to
Haddam Old Town Hall/Masonic Lodge
21 Field Park Drive
Haddam, CT 06438
2 PM Presentations
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices & Incentives Vivian Felten, CT NRCS
Climate Adaptation and Soil Health in Practice Caro Rozell, AFT New England
Equipment in Action Videos RiverCOG/Regional Agriculture Commission
Equipment in Action Videos Jay Zimmerman, Zimmerman Farm Services, Inc.
~Break~
3 PM Presentations
Farmer perspective on cover crops & no-till Will DellaCamera, Cecarelli Farms
Trap Crops Ana Legrand, UConn
Farmer Grants Ali Rose Grabarz, CT Department of Agriculture
4PM Networking & Refreshments
Registration is free and available at: bit.ly/CTSoilHealthEvent
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Urban AG Conservation Tour
Join Connecticut RC&D and partners for an Urban Ag Conservation Tour at Green Village Initiative as part of our CT Soil Health Initiative with U.S. Department of Agriculture NRCS.
April 29, 2023 1-3pm
1469 Reservoir Ave, Bridgeport, Ct
Registration here: tinyurl.com/urbanagtour
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Previous Events
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