by Van Slack, technician, Muskingum SWCD
Life
is full of opportunities, but some of those are once in a lifetime. On April 28 and 29 Dr Hans Kok will be in
Zanesville, Ohio to share his knowledge and experiences with soil. His presentation will be one of those “don’t
miss” opportunities. The information
shared will be useful to anyone who grows a crop or has livestock. “Soil – It’s Alive”, will be packed full of
practical soil management advice. You
will learn the ways that soil health impacts nutrients and crops.
Dr.
Kok has over 25 years experience with soils and conservation tillage. He grew up in the Netherlands and received
his Bachelors and Masters in Science from the Agricultural University located there. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in
Agricultural Engineering from the University of Idaho. Dr. Kok worked on a joint appointment between
Washington State University and the University of Idaho covering conservation
tillage and bioenergy. He also worked as
a conservation tillage specialist for Monsanto for seven years and for Kansas
State Extension as the State Specialist for Soil and Water Conservation. Currently Dr. Kok is the coordinator of the
Indiana Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative.
Dr.
Hans Kok is a very dynamic speaker who is both entertaining and
educational. He has the ability to bring
the subject of soil health alive. Soil
health and topics like cover crops are not just buzz words or a fad; they are
here to stay. Nutrient management is a
hot topic because of its link to the algae blooms in Lake Erie and Grand Lake
St. Marys. The Ohio Legislature is currently
working on legislation to require a licensing program for people who apply
fertilizer on more than 50 acres of land.
This presentation will provide an opportunity to gain insight on
management practices that impact soil health, economic sustainability, and the
environment.
On
Monday evening April 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dr Kok will be speaking on Soil
Health and Cover Crops. This presentation
will be held at the Rolling Plains United Methodist church located at 3350
Moxahala Park Rd., Zanesville, Ohio.
Tuesday
April 29 from 9:00-11:00 a. m. Dr Kok will be covering the topics of 4R
Nutrient Management, Soil Health, and Nutrient Cycling. This presentation will be held at the Rural
Services Building, 225 Underwood St., Zanesville, Ohio.
Tuesday
April 29 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Dr Kok will lead a soil pit investigation, talk
about soil biology, conservation tillage, and reducing fertilizer and chemical
inputs. This presentation will be held
outside, in the field, at the Kevin and Lance Deal Farm, 6625 Chandlersville
Rd., Chandlersville, Ohio. Dress for the
weather.
This
event is made possible in part by a nutrient reduction grant from the Ohio Soil
and Water Conservation Commission. It is
also sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Muskingum,
Guernsey, Perry, and Morgan Counties as well as by OSU Extension Muskingum
County.
Soil-It’s
Alive is a free program but registration is required. To register or to receive more information,
about this program, contact the Muskingum SWCD at 740-454-2027. Don’t miss this great opportunity to gain
important knowledge that could impact your bottom line or increase the
production of your garden in the backyard.
The Soil
Science Society of America says soil is an amazing substance. It is a complex
mix of minerals, air, and water, soil also teems with countless
micro-organisms, and the decaying remains of once-living things. Soil is made
of life and soil makes life. To the farmer, soil is where crops grow. To the engineer, soil is a foundation upon
which to build. To the ecologist, soil
supports communities of living things.
To the archaeologist, soil holds clues to past cultures. To the city dweller, soil nurtures grass and
gardens. To the soil scientist, soil is
all of these things. Soil has been
called "the skin of the earth" because it is the thin outermost layer
of the Earth's crust. Like our own skin,
we can't live without healthy soil.
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