By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service is excited to announce its participation in the Good Idea Shop Talks.
This free, online gathering brings together row crop and livestock producers from the Midwest and South to share knowledge and solutions for soil and water conservation challenges.
“These virtual meet-ups are open to all farmers,” emphasized Amanda Gumbert, an extension water quality specialist at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “Whether you’re a conservation novice or a seasoned pro, there’s something to learn. You’ll be part of a community that supports each other in overcoming hurdles related to conservation practices like cover crops, prairie strips, and managed grazing.”
The Shop Talks are primarily aimed at farmers from Mississippi River Basin states, including Kentucky, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. However, farmers from other regions are also welcome to join.
Each Shop Talk features a producer sharing a specific conservation challenge they’re facing. The group then collectively brainstorms solutions, drawing on their combined experiences. This peer-to-peer approach fosters active learning and problem-solving without formal expert presentations.
The Summer 2024 series includes three virtual meet-ups on August 1, 8, and 15, starting at 12:30 PM ET. Participants can attend any or all sessions.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, and the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
Good Idea Shop Talks is part of the broader One Good Idea platform, which focuses on farmer-to-farmer learning about conservation practices.
Through videos, podcasts, and other resources, One Good Idea helps farmers discover practical conservation strategies to improve their operations.
For more information and to register for the Good Idea Shop Talks, visit https://goodideafarm.org/shop-talks/.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Crops