BELLEVILLE — Farmers of the Sugar River are planning a unique field day for farmers to get the chance to look up close at their soil and compost. 

Bert Paris, a farmer that successfully grazes his dairy herd, is hosting the event at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at W3443 County W, Belleville. The presenter will be Erik Harris, who has been consulting with Paris on how to improve his farming system with better compost. Harris is a certified Soil Food Web Technician.

Farmers are invited to bring a baggie of their own soil collected that morning. Samples should be from 0-3 inches deep and within a plant’s dripline (or very close to plants and roots).Farmers may also bring a baggie of compost for evaluation. These samples will be examined under microscopes and assessed for microorganisms like fungi, bacteria and protozoa. The presence and balance of these microorganisms is one way that farmers can see and measure how the practices they do on their farm influences the “livestock” in the soil. 

The event is free and open to farmers wanting to learn more. RSVPs are encouraged to prepare enough space for attendees by calling 608-325-4195 extension 121, texting 608-426-2218 or emailing Tonya.Gratz@wi.nacdnet.net by Aug. 12. 

Farmers of the Sugar River is a producer-led watershed protection group that shares and learns from other farmers to be profitable, protect and increase soil functions and improve water quality in the Middle and Lower Sugar River watershed. They strive to teach each other as local farmers on how to make conservation systems work on their farms to be part of the solution for cleaner waters and sustainable farms.