Topic: Building Soil with Winter and Summer Cover Crops and Spring Termination Demonstration
Join us at Bellews Creek Farm as Paul Krautmann shows us how to use cover crops to restore soil health, add nutrients naturally, control erosion, and prepare for a thriving next season. Paul will also demonstrate how he terminates an overwintered stand of rye and vetch by plowing it under.
Paul Krautmann founded Bellews Creek Farm in 1994, bringing generations of organic farming knowledge to the project. Paul builds soil with cover crops, while sequestering carbon and protecting the watershed with permanent field borders of diverse trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, and legumes. Paul utilizes a tractor-based system and will have equipment on hand to see and discuss.
Field Day Highlights
- Benefits of cover crops
- Seed choices
- When to seed and terminate
- Termination methods, including a demonstration terminating a rye/vetch stand
- Lessons learned from cover cropping
Light snack and refreshments will be provided at the end of the event.
All Known & Grown Field Days occur rain or shine. Please dress for the weather and the terrain. Many Field Days include walking through tall grasses or fields, on uneven or muddy surfaces, around equipment and in a range of weather conditions.
We recommend that you bring:
- Close-toed shoes (comfortable for walking)
- Sun protection (cap or hat, sunscreen)
- Water bottle
- Rain jacket or poncho (depending on the forecast)
- Personal snacks (While we will try to accommodate food allergies and dietary restrictions, we cannot guarantee this at every event.)
- Your family (Unless otherwise noted, children are welcome with adults. Please be mindful of the dangers on a working farm, including electric fence, difficult terrain, animals, and equipment.)
Please DO NOT bring:
- Dogs or other pets (service dogs, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are permitted)
- Professional camera or recording equipment, photos for personal use are acceptable
- Promotional materials or solicitations, unless you are invited to do so
Parking:
There will be driveway and field parking.
Restrooms:
An outhouse and in-house bathroom will be available.
Mobility & Accessibility Considerations:
- This will be a heavy walking tour, up to 1/4 mile.
- You will experience uneven walking surfaces.
- Rain prior to the event may cause the ground to be muddy.
- Collapsible stools are available for mobile seating.
- Cooling neck fans are available for temperature regulation.
Children:
Children are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian. Note in your registration if you intend to bring any kids along. Please consider that we will be doing a lot of walking.
Microgrants:
Farmers who attend this Field Day are eligible to apply for a microgrant. Details will be provided during the event, and a link will be shared via email for all attendees.
Questions?
Please contact Serena: Serena@GatewayFarmers.org or 314.561.7010 Ext 2
The Field Day series is supported by:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines
Field Day Registration
If you would like to register more than one person, please complete a separate entry form for each individual.