Mark your calendars to see sustainable cropping systems in action
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EmailAttend the annual Long-Term Agroecosystem Research field day on Sept. 4, 2025, to learn about sustainable cropping systems in action.
From cover crops to precision drone technology, there are many tools and techniques promoted to increase the sustainability of field crops, but how do these tools fit together and what works? Join Michigan State University Extension on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a field day on “Sustainable Cropping Systems in Action” to discuss just that!
Michigan State University’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site will host its’ annual field day at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), 9693 N 40th St. Hickory Corners, MI 49060, with doors opening at 9 a.m. Any and all agricultural and conservation professionals are invited to attend.
The event will highlight early results from the first four years of the experiment, including findings about yield, profitability and soil health. The LTAR cropping system experiment compares “business-as-usual” farming (corn/soy rotation with conventional tillage) to an “aspirational” system with a five-crop rotation, stacked conservation practices and precision technologies. The field day will also feature new innovations and information on cover crops, nitrification inhibitors, short corn, pest management, precision technology and resources to support the adoption of these practices on-farm.
Registration for this free event is required. Morning refreshments, snacks and lunch are provided. Pending credits include one restricted use pesticide credit, 2.5 certified crop adviser credits and a Phase 1 Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program training credit.
Register for the KBS LTAR Field Day
Please register by Aug. 22.
The KBS LTAR site uses research and stakeholder-input to compare the short- and long-term trade-offs of conventional agriculture (business as usual) to a system for the future (aspirational cropping system), which was designed by leaders in Michigan agriculture to represent “what Michigan agriculture could look like in 30 years.” This aspirational system seeks to maximize crop diversity, nutrient circularity and efficiency, animal integration, keep roots in the ground, and protect the soil.
The 2026 growing season will be the final year of the first five-year aspirational system rotation. In anticipation, the KBS LTAR plans to work with stakeholder partners to reevaluate what works, what doesn’t and what should be tried in the next version of the KBS LTAR aspirational system. If you have ideas about this or would like to be involved in the conversation, attend this upcoming field day or reach out to the KBS LTAR at kbs.ltar@msu.edu.
