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Farmers of the Sugar River hold annual meeting
Shop Talk set for March 19
farmer soil test
Todd Jenson, Green County Conservationist, buries a pair of cotton underwear as a simple test for soil health. The underwear stay buried for about two months and then get dug up to reveal the amount of cotton still left. If the soil biology is active, then there won’t be much left to the underwear.

ALBANY — The producer-led watershed group, Farmers of the Sugar River held their annual meeting Feb. 26 at the Albany Lions Club. Almost 60 people attended, learned from speakers and had the chance to network with other farmers.

Adam Lasch, a farmer from the Lake Geneva area, presented his farming operation and practices to the group. He encouraged others to plant a mix of cover crops, rather than a single species, for the benefits of root diversity and synergy they provide. After lunch, Aaron Augustian, a dairy farmer from Kewaunee, explained his unique growing conditions and practices he has been using on his farm. He had pictures and data to show how they were able to harvest corn silage 40 tons per hour faster in fields where they planted green than conventionally planted. Frank Lessiter, editor of “No-Till Farmer” magazine, entertained the crowd with stories and figures about no-till and cover crops.

The next event for the group is Shop Talk on March 19. Jerry and Barb Daniels are hosting the event at their shop at N1495 County OK, south east of Juda. Sign in starts at 10:15 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m. and should conclude by 2 p.m. 

Shop Talk is a chance for more hands-on learning and seeing things in action. Topics to be covered include soil health testing, through a lab or in the field, planting spring cover crops and getting a look at several drills, planters, seed spreaders and a roller crimper. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to make sure enough food is prepared.

There is more information on the group’s website- https://greencountylwcd.com/farmers-of-the-sugar-river/ or from the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department located at 1627 4th Ave West, Monroe. Contact Tonya Gratz at the Green County LWCD to RSVP for Shop Talk by calling 608-325-4195 ext 121 or email Tonya.Gratz@wi.nacdnet.net by March 16 for a lunch count.