2013 soil & irrigation workshop

presentation descriptions

Determining Soil Fertility and Fertilization for High-Tunnel Growing
Neal Kinsey
Solving the why of nutrient deficiencies that affect plants can add considerably to both yield and quality.  Problems can originate from a lack of fertility, but more often than not in vegetable production different problems arise from applying too much of one or more elements.  Too much or too little of the various nutrients will affect the availability of others and can limit the quality and/or yield accordingly.  This presentation will show how to identify the problems and help determine and achieve measurable solutions.  

All You Need to Know about Mycorrhizal Fungi 
Jeff Lowenfels
Little know, but ubiquitous, these fungi really make things grow better. Learn all you need to know to appreciate, utilize and protect mycorrhizal fungi in your soils.

The Realities of Scheduling Irrigation
Craig Pisarkiewicz
I will discuss how water moves through soil and how to set up irrigation schedules for the most efficient use of the available water. I will also discuss the latest in controller technology.

Compost Production at MU’s Bradford Farms
Tim Reinbott
A little over a year ago MU's Tim Reinbott began a composting system at the Bradford Research Center where food waste from MU's Campus Dining is mixed with horse bedding from the Horse Farm.  Compost is then used to produce vegetables which are in turn sold back to Campus Dining.  The system is further made "green" from the conversion of waste vegetable oil to biodiesel.  This presentation will cover his experiences so far in developing an aerated static pile system as well as the general the science and the art of composting.

Drip Irrigation Management of Vegetables
Tim Coolong
Discussion on management tactics to reduce water use in drip irrigated vegetables while maintaining yields. Scheduling protocols, tape placement and soil moisture attributes will be discussed.

Soil Health Conservation
Doug Peterson
Join Doug as he uses some very eye opening demonstrations to help us understand how the soil functions.  Good soil health is the key to good crop production, profitability and water quality. To build soil health you must first understand that soil is a biological system. Soil health is improved by disturbing the soil less, growing the greatest diversity of crops (in rotation and as diverse mixtures of cover crops), maintaining living roots in the soil as much as possible (with crops and cover crops), and keeping the soil covered with residue at all times.

workshop presenters

Neal Kinsey is a Soil Fertility Specialist who has been consulting with conventional and organic growers on farms, ranches, orchards, and vineyards since 1973.  He specializes in solving problems caused by deficiencies and/or excesses by correctly measuring and providing specific soil nutrients.  His presentations are based on his experience with soil analyses from all 50 states and 70 other countries.  He also advises growers on food crops including vegetables, fruits, nuts, grains, and specialty crops.

Jeff Lowenfels is an international proponent of organic farming and gardening. He is also an award winning author of “Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to The Soil Food Web,” reviewed as one of the most important gardening books written in the past 25 years. The book explains in lay terms the science of gardening without chemicals. His talks and consultations have converted tens of thousands to the “no chemical” way to grow plants. 

Tim Reinbott has been the superintendent of the MU Bradford Research Center for 13 years.  During this time he has explored new opportunities outside traditional agriculture including wildlife management, native plants, fresh water shrimp, and composting.  The composting project grew out of the interaction of the center's vegetable trials and Tomato Festival with Campus Dining. 

Craig Pisarkiewicz has been selling and designing Drip Irrigation systems since 1983. He is currently an irrigation designer and outside salesman for MPR Supply Company. He is a “Certified Irrigation Designer” (CID) in Agricultural Drip Irrigation through the Irrigation Association.  

Tim Coolong is an associate professor in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Kentucky. He is the Extension Vegetable Specialist for the state and conducts a wide range of research and outreach activities. His primary research area focuses on irrigation management of crops and conservation tillage. He also conducts research on low-input pest management and is the vegetable IPM team leader for UK. 

Doug Peterson is a State Soil Health Conservationist with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.  He is based in Gallatin, MO.