GROVE CITY – The Meeker County and Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition are planning a soil health field day, including a barbecue dinner, on Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

This free field day will be held at Jay Hedtke’s farm at 53825 County Road 16, Grove City. Signs will be posted to direct visitors to the venue.

According to the expansion press release, visitors will see how Hedtke incorporates no-till, cover crop intercropping, livestock and small grains into his crop production. There will be demonstrations of how different tillage equipment affects soil disturbance and seedbed preparation.

A comparison of infiltration rate and soil erosion using a rainfall simulator also shows the differences between Hedtke’s soil health production system and a conventional system.

Over time, reduced tillage and use of cover crops increases organic content and improves soil aggregation and structure. According to the press release, evidence has shown that every 1% increase in soil organic content in a silt soil results in a 0.4 inch increase in water holding capacity, meaning corn in a system with increased soil organic content could go two more days before needing rain. Reducing soil erosion also preserves valuable topsoil and nutrients in our fields.

This event includes a free dinner, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit z.umn.edu/SoilHealthFieldDay or contact Ann Steinhaus at [email protected] or 320-693-7287, ext. 3.