Dick Wolkowski, CSCAP Project Extension Educator
August 5-7, 2014
Ames, Iowa
Corn production is essential in America. This highly versatile crop is an economic powerhouse, employing millions and producing food, feed and fuel. American farmers heavily invest their time, land and money in the crop’s production. As global and domestic demand for corn continues to rise there is increasing uncertainty about how long-term US climate trends will impact corn-based cropping systems. Farmers and scientists are seeking new ways to ensure continued crop productivity and profitability, while minimizing environmental impacts.
This conference will bring together scientists, farmers and invited ag. industry partners to discuss climate uncertainty, impacts on agriculture and our water and soil resources, and most importantly what can be done to make the agricultural landscape both environmentally healthy and productive. Farmers and professional crop advisers are invited to attend. CCA CEU credits will be available. You’ll meet and talk with other farmers, scientists and industry leaders who are exploring ways to make corn-based systems more resilient to weather extremes.
This conference is sponsored by the Climate Change, Mitigation, and Adaptation in Corn-based Cropping Systems Project, a USDA funded study that gathers data from 35 field sites and thousands of farmers in 9 Midwestern states, with the goal of creating a suite of practices for corn-based systems that:
- protect the soil and enhance soil organic matter and nutrient stocks
- reduce off-field nitrogen losses that contribute to water pollution
- limit greenhouse gas emissions from corn production systems
- better withstand weather variability effects from temperature extremes, droughts and floods
- ensure productivity under different climatic conditions
Information on the program and registration can be found at: http://www.sustainablecorn.org/conf-pages/2014NationalConference.html. If you have questions contact Dr. Wolkowski at rpwolkow@wisc.edu.