Building Soil Health in Organic Grain Production using Ecological Systems Strategies

This full day intensive with Dr. Erin Silva, Professor of Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems at the University of Wisconsin Madison, will explore practical, research based strategies for building soil health in organic field crop systems. Drawing on long term trials with cover crops, organic no till and reduced tillage, Dr. Silva will share how farmers can use crop rotations and cover crops to regenerate their soils while keeping weeds in check. 

The session will cover systems-based approaches to weed management that integrate cover crop selection, timing and termination with mechanical tools such as  roller crimpers. Participants will learn how practices like planting soybeans or other cash crops into rolled cereal rye can provide season long weed suppression and protect soil health, as well as the trade offs and management details that make these systems succeed on farm.  By the end of the day, farmers will be better equipped build soil health using cover crops and Integrate weed management into whole farm rotation planning

Dr. Erin Silva is an Associate Professor and State Extension Specialist in Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems at UW-Madison. She has built an internationally recognized program focused on improving organic production, soil health, and cover crop based systems. Her work supports the profitability and sustainability of organic farmers.

This event is generously sponsored by EFAO with support and in partnership with the Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Farm Resilience Mentorship Program (FaRM) and with support from the On-Farm Climate Action Fund: