FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 17, 2010

CONTACT:
Margaret Hart, Communications Coordinator
651.201.6131, Margaret.hart@state.mn.us

On-farm field day to demonstrate use of cover crops

Event will feature research by Carmen Fernholz, veteran organic farmer

What:
Free, on-farm field day featuring alfalfa mulch research and utilization of cover crops in organic or conventional agriculture systems 

Who:
Carmen Fernholz, participant in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Sustainable Agriculture Grant Program Recipient 

When:
Monday, August 23, 2010
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Where:
Carmen Fernholz farm
2484 Hwy 40
Madison, MN 

Background:
Crops need soils with adequate nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K).  But how do you ensure your crops are getting enough nutrients if you do not use chemical fertilizers and do not have access to manure?  Organic producer Carmen Fernholz is attempting to answer that very question. 

With funding from MDA and some assistance from researchers at the University of Minnesota, Fernholz began his own on-farm research.  His goal is to obtain enough nitrogen from alfalfa mulch and cover crops to grow a healthy, high yielding corn crop.

Attendees will hear an explanation of Fernholz's alfalfa mulch research and will learn about utilizing various cover crops in organic or conventional agriculture systems. Cover crops have many benefits including increasing soil organic matter, suppressing weeds and pests, and decreasing soil erosion from wind and precipitation.  Fernholz has used cover crops for many years and is a cooperator on Rural Advantage's NCR-SARE cover crop project. A tour of the mulch and cover crop acres will be given.

The event is free.  For more information contact Jill Sackett, UM Extension/Rural Advantage, 507-238-5449.

Directions:
From Madison, MN go east on MN Hwy. 40 approx. 1.5 miles and look for the A-frame house on the left (north side of the road).

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