Registration now open for Highland Ag and Natural Resources Conference
Join us March 19, 2016, as we address what’s next for Michigan agriculture production and land management.
Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford County Conservation Districts, is pleased to announce the first annual Highland Ag and Natural Resources Conference on March 19, 2016, from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center in Cadillac, Michigan. This is a valuable opportunity for current and next generation farmers or landowners to learn about what’s next for Michigan agriculture and land management.
The event includes a variety of one-hour, concurrent educational sessions with topics including soil health, hops and barley, getting started with livestock, timber sales, invasive plants, pollinator conservation and much more. Agriculture- and natural resources-related vendors and agencies will also be on hand.
The conference will offer a special youth component for students interested in careers in agriculture or natural resources. All high school and college students attending may register for the reduced registration fee of $10. To register, download the agenda or view sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please visit the Highland Ag and Natural Resources Conference Event page.
For general questions, please contact Jerry Lindquist at lindquis@anr.msu.edu or 231-832-6139. Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Jerry Lindquist at 231-832-6139 as soon as possible to help ensure sufficient time to make arrangements.
Agenda | |||||
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8:30-9:15 a.m. |
Main Hall: Registration, Refreshments and Trade Show |
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9:15-9:30 a.m. |
Main Hall: Welcome |
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Youth |
Soil health |
Crops |
Livestock |
Natural resources |
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9:30-10:25 a.m. |
Post-secondary Educational Opportunities in Ag & Natural Resources – Brian Matchett, MSU |
Introduction to Soil Health – Justin Morris, Natural Resources Conservation Service |
Growing Malting Barley and Hops – Paul Gross and Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension |
Hay and Pasture Production Basics – Jerry Lindquist, MSU Extension |
Professional Forestry Assitance – Steve Kalisz, commercial forester; Ben James, Packaging Corporation of America; Rick Lucas, Conservation District |
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10:30-11:25 a.m. |
Leadership and Career Opportunities through FFA – Mark Johnson, Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center and FFA students |
Tillage and Soil Health – Jim Marshall, Natural Resources Conservation Service |
Marketing Options for Farms – Kendra Wills, MSU Extension |
Consumer Misconceptions about the Health Aspects of Beef and Milk Products – Cindy Hulings, MI Beef Industry Comm, and Kathy Lee, MSU Extension |
Improving Your Property for Pollinators – Ben Phillips, MSU Extension |
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11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Lunch, Trade Show and Tour |
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1-1:55 p.m. |
Agriculture and Natural Resources Careers – Betty Jo Krosnicki, MSU Extension |
Choosing the Right Cover Crop – Dean Baas, MSU Extension |
Vegetables for Northern Michigan – Ben Phillips, MSU Extension |
Dairy Manure Handling and Utilization Trends – Ryan Winnebrenner, Sikkema’s Equipment and dairy farmer |
Wildlife Cooperatives – Anna Mitterling, MI United Conservation Clubs |
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2-2:55 p.m. |
The Basics of Being Your Own Boss – Sara Keinath and Betty Jo Krosnicki, MSU Extension |
Cover Crop Seeding and Establishment – What Have We Learned – Farm producer panel facilitated |
High Yield Wheat Production – Dennis Pennington, MSU Extension |
What It Takes to Start Raising Livestock – Cora Watts, Falmouth Cooperative |
Invasive Species Threats to Farmland - Vicki Sawicki, Soil Conservation District |
