PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A soil and agronomy workshop will be held on Monday, Feb. 8, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The event, to be held in the Campus Center, will feature various informational sessions throughout the day. Pesticide credits and CCA credits will be available. The registration cost is $15.
The day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by a number of presentations. Participants may get lunch on their own from 12:10-1:30 p.m.
The following workshop sessions are planned:
At 9 a.m., crop rotation in Maine, with Andrew Plant, University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE) educator; 9:20 a.m., soil sampling and variable rate nutrient management, with Marcus Flewelling, Crop Production Services; 9:40 a.m., cover crop, residue management, and soil health, and 10 a.m., role of soil survey in improving agricultural practices, Sam Wright, Soil Conservationist with the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Sukhwinder Bali, Adjunct Lecturer, UMPI.
Additionally, 10:50 a.m., reducing tillage and increase cover crops/biomass, Dr. John Jemison, soil and water quality specialist, UMCE; 11:10 a.m., soilborne insects, Jim Dwyer, crops specialist, UMCE; 11:30 a.m., importance of soil microorganisms, Dr. Larry Feinstein, assistant professor of biology, UMPI; and 11:50 a.m., role of precision ag in relation to soils and agronomic crops, Dr. Lakesh Sharma, soil and crops specialist, UMCE.
Afternoon sessions include:
At 1:30 p.m., rotational crop economics, with Jake Dyer, agronomist, Maine Potato Board; 1:50 p.m., crop rotation and soil health, Tony Jenkins, Maine state resource conservationist, NRCS; 2:10 p.m., soil testing options and interpretation, Bruce Hoskins, Maine Soil Testing Service and Analytical Lab, UMaine; 2:30 p.m. soilborne disease and its impact on potatoes, Dr. Dave Lambert, plant pathologist, professor, UMCE; and, at 2:50 p.m., what’s new in Maine agriculture, Tim Hobbs, grower relations, Maine Potato Board.
A wrap-up at 3:10 p.m. will address further discussion and follow-up plans, and the workshop will adjourn at 3:30 p.m.
For further information, call Pam at 764-3361 or 1 (800) 287-1462.
