Contributed
The Dillon Soil and Water District hosted a second workshop and field day with Ray Archuleta. The fact that the district was able to get Ray one time was a surprise, but to secure him for a follow up event in Dillon was amazing. This meeting was open to only those that had attended the first meeting with Ray back in August. There were approximately 65 in attendance.
It gave those that had the “basic” understandings of the makeup of healthy soils a chance to delve further in the science behind the soil and what tools are available to analyze, maintain and even enhance the health of the farmer’s fields. Comparing pasture, forest and crop field soils was part of the field experience. One property that was tested was soil scent. An earthy smell is cause by actinobacteria. We promoted the drill (no till) but not the context of soil health.
Participants conducted infiltration and slake tests to better understand the impact tillage has on soil structure. Tilled soils contain less organic matter, are more compacted, and allow less water infiltration than untilled cover-cropped soils. There was also a representative from Center Seeds, a cover crop seed company and a cover cropper himself, Russell Hedrick. He spoke about his personal experience with increase in yield and production since he has been using cover crops in conjunction to no till.
The event lasted until late in the afternoon and there was still more to learn. The day was filled with a surplus of information for those attending but also left those attending wanting more….so that means there will be another field to classroom event in the future for the district. The excitement is building and we do not want to lose the momentum we have. There were producers from North Carolina and as far away as Georgetown County attending this event.
