Horse Creek Watershed Council’s No Till Workshop

Farmers that attended the Horse Creek Watershed Council’s No Till Workshop learned about:

  • equipment council members are using on their own farms;
  • fertility, do’s and don’ts, economics, weed control and equipment options;
  • improved soil resiliency from No Till and cover crops demonstrated by a rainfall simulator test.

On June 13, 2017 the Horse Creek Watershed Council hosted a No till workshop geared towards answering questions prospective No Tillers might have and showcasing equipment council members are using on their operations.  This event was facilitated by the Horse Creek Watershed Council and organized as a peer to peer learning event.  It was hosted at a council member’s farm and there was a wide range of experience in No Till farming practices present.

Topics during the discussion included; fertility, do’s and don’ts, economics, weed control and a walkthrough of some equipment options.  Following the farmer discussion portion of the workshop area NRCS staff performed a rainfall simulator demonstration with soil taken locally under difference conservation practice management.  This visual demonstration was very powerful in demonstrating the potential No Till and cover crops have on increasing soil health and improving the resiliency of our soils during damaging weather events.  Many of the farmers in attendance were able to see how their soils performed under the rainfall simulator test.

Thank you to all who contributed to this successful event and all those who took the time to attend.  The following is a collection of pictures from the day.

COuncil members start the workshop

Council Members start the workshop

Farmers discuss No Till Equipment Options

Farmers discuss No Till equipment options

Farmers and NRCS Staff evaluate soil in the field

Farmers join NRCS staff to evaluate soil in the field

Rainfall Simulator Set up

Rainfall Simulator is set up for a simulated rainfall event

Rainfall Simulator surface runoff and NRCS staff

NRCS Staff shares information about the surface water runoff seen in the jars

NRCS Staff & Rainfall Simulator Final Results

NRCS staff show final results of rainfall simulator test

Horse Creek Farmer-Led Watershed Council Members

Horse Creek Farmer-Led Watershed Council Members