Winterizing soils and the value of pollinators in a regenerative production system will be the topics undertaken during an educational field day hosted by No-till on the Plains and the Nature Conservancy on Dec. 10 at Santa Fe Trail Farms near Windom.

The day’s presentations at the farm, which is owned by Joe Swanson and Darin and Tove Brunk, begin at 9 a.m., with Ryan Speer, co-owner of Jacob Farms in Sedgwick. He will explain how he has added diversity in his rotation by using cover crops and integrating livestock.

Jim Johnson, soils and crops consultant with the Noble Research Foundation in Ardmore, Okla., will present his perspectives and strategies for preparing soils for winter. Finally, Jorge Garibay, a beekeeper from Sterling, Kansas will give the crowd information about the benefit of adding honeybees to a regenerative agriculture operation.

In the afternoon participants will go to local fields to observe winter cover crops and winter crop residue. Jorge Garibay will share his strategies for beekeeping, particularly the hive style.

“Holding a field day that focuses on soils and honeybees is connecting the dots for diversity in our cropping systems,” Swanson says. “We are excited about the addition of bees in our system. We were already focused on soil health, but the bees add another vector for pollination, and we might make a little income on the honey.”

“We are pleased to be partnering with No-till on the Plains for this event,” says Rob Manes, state director of the Kansas Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. “Soil health is inextricably linked to our broader conservation goals. Healthy soils will help Kansas farmers feed a growing global population with tangible economic and ecological benefits.”

There is no charge for this event and lunch is provided. Registration is requested to ensure meal counts.

No-till on the Plains is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide education and networking on agriculture productions systems that model nature.

Annual sponsors for the event include Green Cover Seed, Farmers Business Network and General Mills.

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