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Field Days Highlight Soil Fertility on Organic Vegetable Farms

Madison, WI (CALS Release) Two field days in November will highlight organic soil fertility management for vegetables.

On Nov. 2, Michael Racette of Spring Hill Community Farm in Barron County will discuss his system that involves annual cover crops, extensive mulching and purchased fertility inputs. Spring Hill Community Farm is located at 545 1½ Ave., Prairie Farm, Wis.

On Nov. 4, Larry O'Toole of Growing Home's Les Brown Memorial Farm near La Salle, Ill.

will talk about his use of horse manure compost, cover crops and tillage tools. The farm is located at 2539 N. 30th Road, Marseilles, Ill.

Both events will run from 1-4 p.m.

These farms are participating in a two-state project examining the costs and benefits of soil fertility management strategies on organic vegetable farms. University specialists and project staff will be at the field days to answer questions and discuss findings.

Brochures and directions to the farms are available at www.cias.wisc.edu. For more information, contact John Hendrickson:

608-265-3704 or jhendric@wisc.edu.

The field days are sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), with support from the USDA North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.