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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2007

 

CONTACT: 

Vicki Morrone

(517) 353-3542

 

Registration Made Available for Building Healthy Soils in Vegetable and Grain Systems Workshop

For registration materials and program review please visit web site: www.michiganorganic.msu.edu

 

EAST LANSING, Mich.−Building Healthy Soils in Vegetable and Grain Systems, a two-day workshop featuring one of the nation’s premier experts in composting and soil management, will take place Aug. 29-30 at Morgan Composting in Sears, Mich (4353 US Highway 10).

            The workshop will consist of two days, each discussing methods of composting soil to improve crop quality. Wednesday, Aug. 29, will highlight field crops, and Thursday, Aug. 30, will feature vegetable production. 

            Participants will enjoy informational sessions; a tour of Morgan Compost facility; demonstrations of composting equipment and crimping cover crops for no till systems; and dialogue with organic outreach specialists, farmers, agriculture professors, soil researchers and extension specialists. 

Those attending will also be treated to a presentation by Dr. Paul Hepperly of the Rodale Research Institute entitled, “Twenty-seven Years of Soil Building; What We Have Learned and NOT.” Dr. Hepperly is a plant pathologist and has conducted research on the effects of compost, compost teas and mychorizae on vegetables and grains. 

Hepperly received the Rachel Carson Sense of Science Award in 2004 and the DaVinci Scientist Award in 2005 for his work with the Rodale Institute. His presentation at this workshop will incorporate his 27 years of agriculture experience, and educate attendees as to what the institute has discovered in soil treatment throughout the years of research.

            Attendees may choose either one or two-day registration options for the workshop. Registration fees are as follows:

 

                        Postmarked before Aug. 15

                                    One-day registration: $25

                                    Two-day registration: $40

                        Postmarked before Aug. 25

                                    One-day registration: $30

                                    Two-day registration: $45

                        

            Trade show tables may be purchased for $50, postmarked before Aug. 20, and include a two-day registration. Trade table and registration forms for the workshop can be found at www.michiganorganic.com. Checks may be made payable to Michigan State University.

            For questions, lodging, directions or registration information, contact Vicki Morrone at (517) 353-3542 or visit the web site www.michiganorganic.msu.edu for forms and to send an email.

            Building Healthy Soils in Vegetable and Grain Systems is sponsored by C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, C.S. Mott Chair for Sustainable Agriculture, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Agriculture Experiment Station, MSU Dept of Horticulture, MSU Dept of Crops and Soil Science, North Central Region SARE and Morgan Compost Ltd.

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Vicki Morrone

Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist

Michigan State University

C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems

303 Natural Resources Bldg.

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-353-3542

517-282-3557 (cell)

517-353-3834 (fax)

http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/

http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/