| 2020 Soil Health Workshop |
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Due to the current situation with the COVID-19, the workshop is postponed until further notice.
Soil Biology and Soil Health within our Transition to Dryland in the Southern High Plains
USDA–ARS (Agricultural Research Service)
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 8-4pm
3810 4th St, Lubbock TX
The workshop will provide an opportunity for producers and local/international scientists to discuss how soil biology responds to the complex interactions of climate and management practices in the Southern High Plains (SHP), supporting efforts to maintain productive systems that promote healthy soils and increase resilience to climate extremes.
Photo and Slide design courtesy of Jennifer Moore-Kucera from American Farmland Trust.
This workshop is hosted by Veronica Acosta-Martinez, who has been the soil microbiologist at USDA-ARS in Lubbock TX since 2001 and leads the national ARS Soil Biology Group. Her research has provided information on how soil microbial communities and processes they govern change during incorporation of livestock, forages and/or sorghum along with conservative tillage into cotton systems in this region.
Dave Knaebel, ARS Soil Biology National Program Leader, will provide an overview of the national role of ARS in maintaining soil health, biodiversity and productivity.
Local researchers from USDA-ARS, Texas Agri Life, and Texas Tech University will provide an overview of current research in soil biology, soil health and agronomy/alternative systems to manage our transition to dryland in the SHP.
Perspective from other regions will be provided by two soil microbial ecologists: Mike Lehman from ARS in Brookings SD and Lori Phillips, from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will discuss how different crop rotations and cover crops promote soil biodiversity and beneficial nutrient cycling processes.
A panel discussion, moderated by Chuck West (Texas Tech University) and Kater Hake (Cotton Inc.), will be held with SHP producers interested in soil health to gain their perspective on the challenges we face in maintaining productivity/soil health during our transition to dryland.
Lunch will be provided by ARS Ogallala Aquifer Program, and there will be a reception from 4-6pm at the International Cultural Center hosted by the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University.
No Registration Fee
Please RSVP by March 10th
Lumarie Perez-Guzman at lumarie.perez-guzman@usda.gov
or call 806-723-5235
