Agricultural field days showcase soil health and crop research

Agricultural organizations in New York and Wisconsin are conducting field day series to demonstrate soil health and alternative crop research.

In New York, the 2026 Soil Health Field Day series has hosted various demonstrations across the state. Events at Sheland Farms focused on nutrient management in dairy systems, while sessions at Owens Farm explored the links between grazing management, water infiltration, and soil structure. The series also included an urban tree health conference at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

In Wisconsin, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) held its first Annual Alternative Crops Field Day at its New Farm in East Troy. Managed in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the 200-acre site hosted research on crops such as buckwheat, millet, mung beans, and Kernza perennial grain. The event aimed to show how these crops and conservation practices, including prairie strips and agroforestry, can improve crop rotations and support healthy ecosystems.