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Resource Stewardship in Diverse Farm Systems Field Day Brings Stakeholders and Experience Together
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The Resource Stewardship in Diverse Farm Systems Field Day in Pontotoc, MS at Wise Family Farm provided a rich learning opportunity for stakeholders. With support from Mississippi NRCS, leadership from Pontotoc County Extension Agent, James Shannon, multiple local farmers, several MSU Extension Service specialists, and much participation from local NRCS offices, attendees were able to learn from each other, as well as producer speakers and specialists.
Attendees spent the day learning about NRCS conservation practices and conservation programs while also being able to see the resource conserving benefits on three working farms. With the joining of a local high school class, producers were able to share the resource challenges of managing diverse, family owned and operated farms with a younger generation.
Some of the days highlights included: hearing the first-hand history of the Wise Family Farm, which transitioned from a large-scale row-crop operation to a diversified agritourism operation with some land still in row-crop production, learning about irrigation and nutrient-use efficiency technologies in vegetable production systems with Dr. Casey Barickman, demonstration of heavy use area protection and opportunities for streambank stabilization in a local livestock operation, learning about livestock forage management with Dr. Rocky Lemus, viewing forest management options with Dr. John Kushla, and seeing cover crop plot trials with Dr. Bill Burdine.
While these topics may seem disparate, they are tied together by a need to be wise stewards of Mississippi's natural resources and improve input efficiency for producers to maintain profitability. Extension Agent, James Shannon, completed the Sustainability Training in Agricultural Resources Systems (STARS) MSU Extension Program. The program provides professional development program for Agricultural and Natural Professionals to equip them with the information and skills to assist private landowners toward more sustainable resource management.
We look forward to helping facilitate more events like this in 2022!
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Upcoming Training Opportunity for Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals:
December 2, 2021, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST &
December 3, 2021, 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM CST
Verona, MS
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We have opened registration for a combined training of two MSU Extension Programs- Sustainability Training in Agricultural Resources Systems (STARS) and MS Land Stewards. We welcome Agricultural and Natural Resource Professionals from any agency and organization in MS to register for the training. The STARS training on Dec. 2. will cover current agricultural sustainability topics and how to facilitate conservation adoption and delivery at local levels. Dinner will follow at 6:00 pm. The MS Land Stewards training on Dec 3. will include hands-on learning of soil and water resource assessments that can be used with clients.
When you register above, you will receive a confirmation email that you are signed up prior to the Training (if you don't receive one, check your spam folder).
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Stewardship Resources & Tools
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Cover crop impacts on soybean yield. Researchers with University of Arkansas studied the relationship between cover crops and soybean yield over three years, finding the highest soybean yields following a 50:50 blend of Austrian winter peas and black-seeded oats cover crop. Check out the full article and video clip about the research in Delta Farm Press.
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Redbud-Catalpa Creek Watershed. Multiple partners have been working to improve conservation the Redbud-Catalpa Creek watershed through a Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality 319 grant. The recent report provides insight to stakeholders for engaging partners and landowners in watershed projects and how watershed restoration projects can serve as an education tool for local water resources.
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Upcoming Field Day- Making Conservation Pay. Landowners, producers, agricultural and natural resource professionals are invited to a Precision Ag and Targeted Conservation Delivery Field Day at Prairie Wildlife in West Point, MS on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 3pm-7pm. For registration or to learn how you can maximize the value of your land, please contact Ryan Mann.
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Partner Recognition:
We couldn't do our work without our supporters, collaborators, and friends. This month we'd like to recognize and thank the Mississippi State University Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) for their partnership and support of our program!
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Stay Connected: Upcoming Events
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Follow us on social media, visit our website, or email us!
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The latest conservation research & news
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USDA invests $10 million for soil carbon monitoring through CRP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to collect data on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres across the country to gain a better understanding of the program's impact on our climate. Soil carbon samples will be taken and analyzed from three different CRP practice types: perennial grasses, trees, and wetlands. With this data, the USDA and scientists will be able to improve conservation planning and target CRP practices for climate mitigation benefits. Read more>>>
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Stacking best management practices to reduce nitrogen losses
New research published in the Journal of Environmental Management provides insight into stacking conservation practices to reduce nitrogen loss from agricultural systems. High nitrogen concentrations can lead to surface water degradation, threatening ecosystems and human health. The research highlights how stacking conservation practices demonstrated reductions in nitrogen losses of 60.4%, which included implementing nutrient management plans, perennial vegetation, and terraces. The work also provides insights to seasonal and precipitation influences on nitrogen losses from agricultural systems that can assist with managing nitrogen inputs more effectively. Read More>>>
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Research shows IPM effective in reducing pesticide use while maintaining or enhancing yields
In a recently published article by PNAS, researchers found that using integrated pest management (IPM) solutions reduced insecticide use by 95% in a study conducted across Indiana. The IPM approach included integrating coproduction of the primary cash crop corn with a pollinator-dependent specialty crop, watermelon, to facilitate pollinator-enhancement by wild bees. The study reported corn yields were maintained, while watermelon yields increased. Even with initial upfront costs for creating pollinator habitat, IPM can help increase long-term profitably for the farm by reducing the need for expensive insecticides. Read More>>>
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