ESBON, Kan. — The Kansas Soil Health Alliance along with partners Green Cover, Ward Laboratories, Kansas WRAPS, Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, National Deer Association, and Noble Research Institute are hosting a Wildlife Habitat and Soil Health Management Workshop on Thursday, December 15th from 8 AM – 4 PM in the Hubbard Welcome Center at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.
The day will feature keynote speaker Dr. Grant Woods. Drawing from his experiences as an avid hunter raised in the Ozark Mountains and his formal education and research, Dr. Woods has developed a specialty in habitat improvement and hunting techniques. For the past 10 years, he has produced GrowingDeer, a weekly, year-round show to assist hunters with hunting strategies and habitat management. Dr. Woods has formed relationships with two of the workshop’s primary sponsors, Green Cover and Ward Laboratories, to further his enhance his work. During his morning and afternoon presentations, he will share how he is using soil health practices to improve his rocky, shallow Ozark Mountain soils to improve forage production and wildlife habitat.
The workshop will feature several other speakers. Darin Williams of D & N Ag Farms in Waverly, Kansas is going to speak on his experiences using large scale food plots to improve soil health and build relationships between wildlife habitat management and production agriculture. Steve Swaffar, agriculture consultant for the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma, will discuss the connection between soil health and upland bird habitat. Keith Berns, co-owner of Green Cover Seed from Bladen, Nebraska, will remind us that “We have a problem!” and will introduce the audience to BioGrace, a new way of looking at how to fix our agricultural problems.
Many wildlife organizations, soil and water conservation organizations, and cover crop seed companies will also be present for attendees to visit their booths during breaks and lunch. Several outdoor prize giveaways have also been donated to make this an informational and exciting day for all who attend.
Registration is available online at www.KSsoilhealth.org. Early bird pricing of $25 per attendee is available until December 1st with a $35 fee after that date. Registration includes a light breakfast, morning and afternoon snacks, a hot lunch, and a chance for the prize giveaways. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Simmelink, Kansas Soil Health Alliance Coordinator – jennifer@KSsoilhealth.org, 785-545-5628.
— Kansas Soil Health Alliance
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