The 2017 Southwest PA soil health and no-till conference will be held Jan. 25 at St. Vincent College near Latrobe featuring Jim Hoorman and Russ Wilson as morning speakers for the event.

Hoorman recently moved from Ohio State University Extension to a position with Natural Resources Conservation Service under our soil health team and will speak on ECO farming.

ECO farming features eternal no-till, continuous living cover and other best management practices to mimic natural cycles improving soil biology and crop production.

Wilson, a grazer from Fryburg, will speak on how soil health, cover crops, no-till and grazing fit into a system. Russ is an adaptive grazer who is now utilizing covers to renovate pastures and increase forage production, rapidly improve soil structure and maximize both above and below ground livestock production throughout the year.

This pioneering manager utilizes low inputs and innovative strategies to continually push the envelope, making it a must-hear for both crop production and livestock producers alike.

The afternoon will feature breakout sessions with Wilson and Hoorman, along with LoftyBot, and Brian Ishman from T.A. Seeds.

LoftyBot will speak about the use of drones to help farmers increase crop awareness, yield and profitability, while Ishman will speak on the new technologies in cover crops.

Registration for the event is $35 (before Jan. 20) and can be done via online at www.wcdpa.com or by mail: Westmorland County Conservation District, 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.