2022 CLASIC I90_Hwy14 Tour

The Crop, Livestock, and Soil Innovation Conferences (CLASIC) provide a unique opportunity for those in the agriculture industry to network on the latest trends and innovations. CLASIC is made up of two tours, traveling along Interstate 90 and Highway 14, consisting of fours stops each that brings both expert keynote speakers and local farmers to a city near you for a convenient way to learn how they are successfully implementing the latest crop, livestock, and soil innovations.

Brought to you by the following: Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Lincoln, Martin, Nicollet, Redwood, Steele, Waseca SWCD’s as well as the USDA-NRCS, MAWQCP, Heron Lake Watershed District, and the MSHC.

I – 90 Tour Information Theme: Fertility
Feb 8, 2022 – Hokah, MN
Feb 9, 2022 – Albert Lea, MN
Feb 10, 2022 – Fairmont, MN
Feb 11, 2022 – Heron Lake, MN

Keynote Speaker: Mitchell Hora
Mitchell Hora is a 7th generation Iowa farmer and the founder/CEO of Continuum Ag, a soil health data company. The Hora’s have been using no-till since 1978 and cover crops since 2013, while also experimenting with relay cropping, 60” corn, diverse rotations, and a wide array of trials all aimed at creatively implementing the soil health principles. To document and learn, the farm uses weekly Haney Soil Health testing and has been able to see massive increases in soil carbon, microbial activity, water infiltration, and a 45% decrease in needed synthetic fertility. Mitchell also co-hosts the Field Work Podcast, is a NACD Soil Health Champion, and was named to the AgGrad 30 under 30 list.

Highway 14 Tour Information Theme: Benefits & Challenges of Soil Health Practices and The Basics of Carbon

Mar 1, 2022 – Lake Benton, MN
Mar 2, 2022 – Lamberton, MN
Mar 3, 2022 – New Ulm, MN
Mar 4, 2022 – Waseca, MN

Keynote Speaker: Dorian Gatchell
BS Agronomy/soils – South Dakota State University, MS Agronomy – Iowa state University. Certified as CCA and CPAg from American Society of Agronomy. Worked in Agronomy field since 1994, in agribusiness to 2009, then founded an independent agronomy consultation company; Minnesota Agricultural Services. Advise crop growers on all aspects of crop production with a focus on profitability with professionalism and high standards in economics, technology and environmental stewardship.

Keynote Speaker: Don Reicosky
Don Reicosky is a retired Soil Scientist for the USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, Morris, MN, and Adjunct Professor in the Soil Science Department, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. Later research focused on tillage and residue management measuring gaseous losses of soil carbon following intensive tillage with a portable chamber. The gaseous losses of carbon following tillage were related to the volume of soil disturbed in the tillage operation. The short-term tillage-induced losses after moldboard plowing can help explain the long-term decline in soil carbon associated with intensive cropping. Results from this research suggest a need for improved conservation agriculture methods. In retirement, he continues to write about carbon management and environmental issues.

More information to come!
To get on a contact list for more info, contact:
Mark Gutierrez (505) 980-1360 mark@mnsoilhealth.org