PUYALLUP, Wash. — Western Washington farmers and agricultural professionals will have an opportunity to learn about the benefits and the best applications of summer cover crops at a workshop being presented by Washington State University Pierce County Extension and the WSU Small Farms Program.
The Summer Cover Crop School will be held on Monday, Aug. 23, from 5 – 8:30 pm at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center, 2606 W. Pioneer in Puyallup. The cost is $20 per person and includes dinner. Advance registration is required by Aug. 18, and is available at http://wsupiercecountyextension.wufoo.com/forms/wsu?summer?cover?cropping?school/
Summer cover crops can help reduce pest pressure while adding nutrients and improving soil quality. Proper cover crop choice, timing of planting and seeding rates maximizes these benefits. Integration of cover crops into complex production systems requires an in-depth understanding of different cover crop types. The workshop will cover these topics and more both in a class session and a field tour of research plots.
WSU research and Extension experts along with regional commercial farmers will offer their experiences in using summer cover crops. This integrated educational approach will allow participants to walk away with the ability to appropriately integrate summer cover crops into their production systems. This class will build upon knowledge from the WSU Winter Cover Crop School held in March.
For more information contact Chris Benedict at 253-798-7028 or at chrisbenedict@wsu.edu.