Purdue Extension in Delaware County will host James Hoorman, Ohio State University Extension educator and assistant professor, for an intensive day-long Farming for Soil Health workshop on March 11 in Muncie. The program will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Building, 6100 State Road 67, and conclude no later than 4:00 p.m.

“We are excited to be hosting Jim for this in-depth cover crop program. The workshop will focus on how the proper selection and management of cover crops and other soil health practices can enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental conservation of field crop operations,” said Michael O’Donnell, Purdue Extension educator in Delaware County and the program organizer.

The workshop will cover soil ecology and nutrient cycling, biology of soil compaction, soil demonstrations, keeping nutrients on the farm, economics of cover crops, and selecting, integrating, and managing cover crops in field crop rotations. Information about the Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative will also be presented. Registration cost for the workshop is $30 and includes lunch, handouts, fact sheets and a new edition Midwest Cover Crop Field Guide. Registration deadline is March 7, and is available online at http://tinyurl.com/jgrchfb. The program is sponsored by Byron Seeds. Continuing education units (CEU) for certified crop advisers have been requested. For more information or questions, contact O’Donnell at the Delaware County Extension Office at 765-747-7732 or modonnel@purdue.edu.