May 5, 2022
Soil health field day to teach cover crops, minimum tillage practices to Arkansas farmers
By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Soil Health Field Day and Training at Adam Chappell Farm: May 25 from 9:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Cotton Plant
- Attendees will learn soil health practices, hands-on training in equipment modifications
- Register online at office.com/r/xGNP8SWWdZ
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COTTON PLANT, Ark. — Soil health is a critical component of crop success for growers. Arkansas farmers will have a chance to learn and implement soil practices at the Soil Health Field Day and Training at the Adam Chappell Farm in Cotton Plant on May 25 from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Chappell is a Woodruff County farmer and current president of the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance. He has extensive experience implementing soil practices such as cover crops, minimum tillage, nutrient management and the addition of soil microbiological inoculants. Since 2013, these soil health practices have been an important element of Chappell’s farming philosophy, and he has been able to increase profitability by reducing irrigation, fertilizer, herbicide and other inputs.
“This field day will allow farmers to see first-hand how Adam has implemented his system and how it might translate to increased profitability for other farmers,” said Mike Daniels, extension professor of soil and water conservation.
The event is sponsored by the Arkansas Soil Health Alliance in conjunction with the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Daniels said the field day will provide farmers with training on equipment modifications for soil health, composting efforts to feed soil microbes, and changes in soil and water relationships, such as infiltration and increased water storage. Chappell, along with extension and NRCS specialists, will also provide information about improving soil health using cover crops and minimum tillage.
Chappell will conduct a live demonstration of planting into standing cover crops. Steve Stevens, a Desha County farmer and member of the Soil Health Alliance, will also share his soil health successes.
Certified Crop Advisor continuing education credits will be available for attendees. Lunch will be provided free. Register online at forms.office.com/r/xGNP8SWWdZ.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Rebekah Hall
rkhall@uada.edu
@RKHall_
501-671-2061