A Legacy of Stewardship

A Legacy of Stewardship: Using Cover Crops, Biochar and Nature for Sustainable Agriculture

Wednesday, June 19 | 4-6 p.m.

Location

2449 Hemlock Ave. | Washington, IA 52353

Host

Rob Stout

Rob Stout owns 745 acres in Washington, Iowa, and has been farming there since 1978, raising corn, soybeans, small grains and pigs. He also rents an additional 480 acres for farming. He grew up just 2 miles from his current farm and has been no-till since 1983. In 2009, Rob started using cover crops. For many years, he has also been active in PFI’s Cooperators’ Program conducting on-farm research on a range of topics, including many aspects of cover crops.

One recent project looked at whether planting corn into a green cereal rye cover crop affected corn seedling disease. In his latest trial, Rob is testing whether using biochar as a seed treatment can boost his corn yields. Join Rob and his family to explore how cover crops have helped keep nutrients on the land and improved their soil and water quality. Rob will also share what he’s learned so far from his latest on-farm trial.

Meal

Dinner will follow the field day.

See & Discuss

Using cover crops like cereal rye and oats to suppress weeds and improve soil and water quality
Soil sampling and testing methods with the goal of increasing organic matter 0.1% each year
Integrating the Conservation Stewardship Program to reduce erosion, tillage and nutrient runoff and to improve water quality

Sponsor

Continuum Ag