Agricultural professionals across Indiana are invited to participate in a comprehensive train-the-trainer program focused on cover crops and soil health. The multi-session training aims to equip participants with practical knowledge to incorporate cover crops into Midwestern cropping systems effectively.
The program requires attendance at all four sessions—three virtual and one in-person—to receive a certificate of completion. Registration is open until March 17, allowing sufficient time for registrants to receive a Cover Crop field guide by mail.
Training Schedule
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Session 1 (Virtual): Tuesday, March 31, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
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Session 2 (Optional In-Person): Tuesday, April 7, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., West Lafayette
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Session 3 (Virtual): Tuesday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
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Session 4 (Virtual): Tuesday, April 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Eastern
Who Should Attend
The training is tailored for staff within the Indiana Conservation Partnership—such as Indiana NRCS, Purdue Extension, Indiana SWCD, ISDA, IDEM, IDNR, SSCB, and Indiana FSA—as well as farmer-mentors, agronomists, and other agricultural professionals who have not previously completed Advanced Soil Health or Cover Crops Trainings.
Topics Covered
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Cover Crops: Benefits, species selection, identification, seeding, termination techniques, and available resources.
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No-till Practices: Equipment essentials and adaptive systems management.
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Insect Pests and Beneficials: Impact of soil health on pest populations and pest management strategies.
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Weed Management: Considerations for herbicide carryover effects and cover crop establishment challenges.
This training program is designed to foster deeper understanding of soil health and sustainable farming practices that improve crop production and environmental stewardship in Indiana’s agricultural landscapes.
Interested participants must register by March 17 to ensure they receive the necessary materials and training access.