Blue Mountain Region Morning Workshop and Open Discussion on Soil Health

WHAT:    Blue Mountain Region Morning Workshop and Open Discussion on Soil Health

WHEN:   8:30 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday May 5^th

WHERE:    Walla Walla Community College
Walla Walla Campus:  Room 185 – Lecture hall (far left of Bookstore entrance)
Clarkston Campus:  Simulcast video to Room 187 – Lecture Hall

FEE:        No Fee for WWCC Students
Optional $10 registration fee for adults (payments by check accepted at the door)

RSVP:     Please Call the Walla Walla County Extension Office to Pre-Register: 509-524-2685
We need a head count for catered continental breakfast (coffee, tea and pastries)

SPEAKER:  Wayne Thompson, Regional Agronomist and WSU Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist for Walla Walla, Franklin, Garfield, Columbia and Asotin Counties.

TOPICS:   Observations and current understanding of soil health challenges for this region. 

•  Plant Essential Nutrients – Effects of Fertilizer Use and Soil Conservation Practices on Stratification
•  Soil pH Management Options – Agricultural Liming Material Characterization and Selection
•  Effects of Crop Residue Management on Growing Season Soil Temperatures – overview of the contrasting conditions of soil acidification and residue decomposition
•  Cover crop water use management – timing of termination, contributions and agronomic value of cover crop root decomposition
•  Soil humus – the role of soil humus in building and maintaining soil structure, water holding capacity, and nutrient buffering capacity