The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is hosting the second Wisconsin Cover Crops Conference at its location on Friday, Aug. 14. 

The theme of the conference is "Cover Crops and Agricultural Resiliency" and is aimed at both seasoned cover crop growers and those looking to learn more about the practice. Indiana no-tiller Dan DeSutter is the keynote speaker and will discuss how he uses no-till, cover crops and manure to improve soil quality on his 4,500-acre farm. The conference will also host other general sessions and three bus tours.

The first bus tour will visit Michael Fields' cover crop research, which includes organic no-till, new species screening, organic reinvigoration, quack grass control and successful cover crop practices. The second option will drive to Palmyra, Wis., where successful cover crop practices on rolling and highly erodible soils will be demonstrated. This bus tour will also discuss aerial application in corn and soybeans, drilling covers into standing corn, and cocktail mixes after wheat. The third bus tour will go to Turtle Creek Gardens in Delavan, Wis., and will feature successful cover crop applications in organic vegetable production. 

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and tours will conclude by 3:30 p.m. The event is $30, which includes lunch. Pre-registration is required by Aug. 10. Registration can be done online, or contact Sandy Andrews at sandrews@michaelfields.org or 262-642-3303 ext. 100.