Four free ‘Mastering Missouri Cover Crops’ events scheduled in July around state

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture will host free cover crop workshops in late July at four locations throughout the state.

These one-day events are for farmers, landowners, those in the ag industry, conservation staff and anyone else interested in learning more about cover crops for their region, said Rob Myers, an MU Extension agronomist and one of the speakers at the workshops.

In a press release, Myers said, “These events will be a great chance for people to learn about the latest information with cover crops, including from farmers experienced with cover crops in the local area. We’ll also have information on options for getting cover crop payments from both public and private sector programs and talk about new trends with cover crops, like planting green.”

Locations and dates:

• Southwest Missouri – July 22, Lamar.
• Northeast Missouri – July 26, Elsberry.
• Southeast Missouri – July 27, Jackson.
• Northwest Missouri – July 29, Higginsville.

The programs will generally run 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The July 26 Elsberry workshop starts at 8:15 a.m. to allow time for a field tour of cover crop research and summer species at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Plant Materials Center.

The workshops will feature a variety of speakers, including local farmer experts, on these topics:

• Soil health impacts of cover crops.
• Tips on selecting cover crop species.
• Cover crop seeding and termination.
• Adjusting nutrients and herbicides.
• Planting strategies for commodity crops.
• Cover crop incentive payments.

Continuing education units will be available. There is no cost to participate, but interested individuals are asked to register at cra.missouri.edu/events/mmcc to provide organizers a lunch count.

For more information about the program, contact Bethany Wohrley at wohrleyb@missouri.edu or 573-882-5126.

The events are supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and funding from the Walton Family Foundation.