Researchers and farmers are gathering in Chatham to discuss soil health, as well as ways of reducing the spread of algae blooms in Lake Erie.
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority are hosting a Soil Health Conference Thursday at the John Bradley Convention Centre. Researchers from across North America and local farmers will deliver presentations on their latest findings and experiences on a variety of soil health topics between 8am to 5pm.
"Farmers will be able to speak to their peers, speak with researchers, and be able to take home tools, knowledge and different methods that could help their own farm system improve soil health," said Jessica Van Zwol, a healthy watershed specialist with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority.
The conference will feature farmer-led discussion panels that will focus on subjects such as cover crop and rotational grazing, erosion control methods, soil stewards on big acres, bio strips, planting green, and making interseeding work.
Van Zwol said farmers will also discuss phosphorus reduction.
"This conference is quite timely because Lake Erie is in the news a lot because of phosphorus. Over the past decade, the increase in size and frequency of algae blooms in low oxygen zones have generated concerns with our water quality, fish and wildlife populations, commercial and recreational fishing, tourism and human health," said Van Zwol. "By implementing a variety of different soil health best management practices, local producers can play a large roll in reducing those nutrient loadings to the lake."
The conference is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Tickets for the event have since sold out.