University of Illinois Extension is hosting a field day that is the first of a series of field days that will occur across the state over the next few years.  The Soil Health Field Day will take place on August 19 in Ogle County from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The host farmer, Norm Deets, is participating in a study with the University of Illinois funded through USDA-SARE program where researchers are observing the changes in soil health over a period of five years.  The first year of the study is concluding in August 2021.

The featured speaker for this field day is Professor Dennis Busch from University of Wisconsn-Platteville.  Dr. Busch is bringing his rainfall simulator to use in a demonstration at the field day.  Other speakers include Dr. Stacy Zuber, the Illinois soil health specialist with USDA-NRCS and Rachel Curry, Illinois Extension's watershed outreach coordinator covering the Lower Rock and Flint-Henderson watersheds in northern Illinois.  The host farmer, Norm Deets, will also talk on his farming system and the steps that he is taking to build soil health on his farms.

The field day is free and open to the public.  Lunch is included.  Please register prior to the event.  For questions about this program, please contact Chelsea Harbach (harbach2@illinois.edu).