Topic: Building Soil with Winter and Summer Cover Crops and Riparian Field Borders
Paul Krautman 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.
Whether you’re working an urban plot, backyard bed, or acreage of any size, learn how to use cover crops to restore soil health, add nutrients naturally, control erosion, and prep for a thriving next season.
This workshop will focus on the benefits of cover crops, seed choices, when to seed and terminate, termination methods, lessons learned from cover cropping for 30 years, and how to acquire funding through NRCS programs to implement cover crops on your land.
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 (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 some driveway and field parking.
Restrooms:
An outhouse and in-house bathroom will be available.
Mobility & Accessibility Considerations:
We will be walking on uneven ground during the farm tour.
Microgrants
Following the event, attendees will have the chance to apply for up $150 to purchase cover crop seed for their farm. Additional info will be provided at the end of the event.
Questions?
Please contact Serena@GatewayFarmers.org or 314.561.7010 Ext 2
This event 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 vary by program or incident.
Field Day Registration
If you would like to register more than one person, please complete a separate entry form for each individual.