Soil quality and soil conservation has continued to be an important
issue for farmers, researchers, and the general public. “Soil is my most
valuable asset”, states Steve Groff, owner of Cedar Meadow Farm. “I want
to farm in such a way that produces a healthy food product, generates an
income to live a comfortable lifestyle, and leaves the soil in better
condition than when I found it”, he continues. Groff’s “New Generation
Cropping System” techniques will be available to see at his 5th annual
Field Day to be held on Wednesday, July 29th, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at
Cedar Meadow Farm, Holtwood, PA (20 miles south of Lancaster, PA). This
event, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Conservation District’s
annual Expo, will provide an opportunity to see first hand the unique
cropping strategies and proven soil conservation methods he uses. Cedar
Meadow Farm has been selected as the 1998 Outstanding Cooperator of the
Year, by the Lancaster County Conservation District and has also been
chosen as 1 of 9 farms in the nation to be a Harmony Demonstration
Farm, ( http://farm.fic.niu.edu/earth/home.html ) promoting the
adoption of technologically advanced and environmentally sound farming
practices.
The theme is, "Tools for Transitioning" - Equipment and methods of
transitioning to less tillage and pesticides for a more environmentally
friendly, profitable cropping system. The all-day event will feature
ways to practically increase profits, save soil, and reduce pesticides
in both agronomic and vegetable crops.
Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), local ag
businesses, and equipment dealers are helping to sponser this field day.
Several nationally known soil conservation experts will be sharing
information on how to best transition to a cropping system that
increases soil quality and minimizes erosion. Dan Towery, Natural
Resources Specialist from the Conservation Technology Information Center
in West Lafayette, Indiana, will give a national perspective on soil
conservation trends. Warren Thompson, National Forage Specialist for
America’s Alfalfa, Kentucky, will discuss no-till establishment of
alfalfa and forages as well as grazing strategies. Three new summer
annual grazing crops (spring triticale, Canadian field peas, and sudex)
will be available to observe. Soil Quality Researchers, Dr. Ray Weil and
Joel Gruver, from the University of Maryland, will be sharing the
results of the soil quality work they have done at Cedar Meadow Farm.
Joel will again be doing his fascinating demonstration of soil quality
and its relationship to tillage and cover cropping practices. “Scouting
from the Sky” is the Precision Agriculture topic for Marty Campfield,
Nutrient Solutions in Agriculture.
Participants can look at direct seeded crops and vegetables as Steve
discusses how and why the system works and how he has reduced his
pesticide usage in half. He will also share his methods for
transitioning to less tillage without yield loss and the various cover
cropping and crop rotation strategies he uses.
Local equipment dealers will demonstrate no-till planters, drills and
conservation tillage tools. The Buffalo Rolling Stalk Chopper (used to
mechanically control cover crops) and the No-till Vegetable Transplanter
and will be used to plant broccoli during the field day.
New this year are vegetable variety comparisons, a food grade soybean
trial (Rodale Institute), and Roundup Ready Corn. Free water testing,
Farm Safety for Kids, and children’s activities are also planned.
Interest in this “New Generation Cropping System” continues to grow as
Steve was invited to speak in 9 states and even made a trip to Japan
last winter. He has a website, www.cedarmeadowfarm.com that profiles
the farm and gives details of his video, “No-Till Vegetables, A
Sustainable Way to Increase Profits, Save Soil, and Reduce Pesticides”.
“This Field Day is designed to give farmers practical information on
transitioning to a profitable and sustainable cropping system”, says Mr.
Groff. “I want people to take home at least one idea that they can apply
to their farm to improve the quality of their soil so that future
generations will also have the opportunity to earn a living from the
land”.
Directions: From the intersection of 272 and 372(south of Lancaster),
take 372 west 4.5 miles to Hilldale Rd. Turn right. Travel 1.5 miles to
Cedar Meadow Farm -on the right.
Phone: (717) 284-5152 e-mail: sgroff@epix.net
-- "New Generation Cropping Systems": the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture http://www.cedarmeadowfarm.com Steve Groff Cedar Meadow Farm 679 Hilldale Rd Holtwood PA 17532 USA Ph. 717-284-5152
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