The Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a soil health workshop for vegetable producers on May 3 at Clarion River Organics, 824 Whitmer Road in Sligo.

The event will focus on using cover crops and no-till planting techniques to improve soil health and reduce farm inputs.

The event will feature Dave Wilson, former research agronomist with the Rodale Institute who focused on cover crops and termination strategies in organic systems.

Now with Penn State as an extension educator, Dave currently sits on the advisory board for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, USDA-OREI, which focuses on improving weed and pest management as well as investigating the role of cover crops in crop production.

Sjoerd Duiker, an associate professor from Penn State, will focus on cover crop selection and developing mixes that improve soil conditions and reduce farm inputs.

The day will wrap up with Joel Myers, retired state agronomist with NRCS in Pennsylvania. Myers will focus his discussion on no-till planting equipment and transplanters with some hands-on evaluations of planters and drills.

This will be an information-packed event that will provide plenty of innovative material from leaders in their respective field.

If you are interested in learning more about cover crops and reducing or eliminating tillage in your operation this field day will be well worth your time.

Registration is $10 and includes an Amish-made, home-style lunch.

The deadline to register is May 1.

For more information or to register, contact the Jefferson County Conservation District at 814-849-7463.

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