By Blake Jackson
Farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals will have an opportunity to explore the latest soil health practices at the New York Soil Health Alliance Soil Health Field Day on September 17, 2026, at the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, New York.
The free event will focus on the benefits of cover cropping in dairy and field crop production systems and is designed to provide practical information for improving soil health and farm productivity.
Participants will tour cover crop and tillage demonstration plots and learn about integrated weed management research led by Dr. Vipan Kumar.
The afternoon program will feature a presentation from Joe Lawrence of PRO-Dairy, highlighting the forage value of cover crops and their role in dairy operations.
Attendees will also hear from a farmer panel discussing successful cover-cropping strategies and real-world experiences incorporating these practices into crop rotations.
One of the event’s featured attractions will be the New York Soil Health Trailer, a mobile educational laboratory equipped with a rainfall simulator that demonstrates how cover crops can reduce erosion, improve nutrient retention, and minimize water runoff.
The field day is hosted by the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station and co-organized by the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required and can be completed through the New York Soil Health Alliance. For additional information, interested participants may contact Kristen Loria at kal52@cornell.edu.
Photo Credit: pexels-binyaminmellish
Categories: New York, Education, General