In the late summer of 2016 Adams Co. SWCD was able to purchase the Betterway Hi-boy Seed Spreader thru a grant with NRCS. This hi-boy is designed to be pulled by a single horse. It allows cover crops to be broadcast in a standing crop. This piece of equipment is something we had been thinking about for a few years. An agreement with NRCS helped us be able to make this happen. Currently we are in two agreements with NRCS. One is for outreach. As a result of this grant we are able to have Darrell Brown work with us on a part time basis. Darrell came on board in June 2015. We will continue to have him until June 2017. He has been instrumental in mentoring, leading pasture walks, and helping many producers in Adams County. Darrell brings an expertise that has enriched our District. It has been a pleasure going out to collect soil samples, discussing water quality issues and fencing needs. While Darrell has been here he has written two books on watersheds that we use for educational material. Currently, he is in the process of writing 2 more books. One is on manure storage and best management practices. Plans were to have 2 field days back–to-back in late August to enable us to use our featured speakers in two locations. Several agencies had partnered together and sponsors had generously covered the supper. The morning event started on the north side of the county at the farm of Mike Werling. There was much excitement. 117 producers attended. Farmers were allowed to travel from one station to another. Stations offered were drainage water management, soil pit, cover crops, cover crop farmer panel composed of Adams Co. SWCD Board members, livestock management, economics of manure, funding opportunities, and large equipment demonstrations. Then later in the day plans were to hold a different field day in the southern part of the county at the farm of brothers Menno and Ruben Schwartz. We planned to hold the activities at the 5 cover crop plots SWCD had planted earlier. The seed had been donated by Cisco Seeds. However with the threat of rain, we moved tables and chairs from the tent to inside one of their barns. 30 minutes prior to the start of the event already over thirty adults had arrived. However, the clouds kept getting angrier and then we spotted rotation. Everyone moved to the basement of Ruben’s home just in time. Then a tornado touched down with destruction. Among the damage was our little hi-boy. We had planned to demonstrate it at the field day. Thankfully, no one was injured. In September we held a rescheduled field day at the Schwartz farm. Rain hit us again...but no tornadoes. Over 55 adults attended. There was education topics on manure management and its value. Another topic was cover crop selection and management.
Nick Schwartz was the host for a Pasture Walk in July. Producers learned about pasture and grazing management. There was learning opportunities on cover crops. Darrell demonstrated fencing and showed the different types and ways to set up your fencing. He discussed the benefits of rotational grazing. Some of the items presented were pasture grass identification, management of grasses and legumes, summer annuals for supplemental pasture, fall and winter grazing using cover crops, no-till vs. conventional seeding, and paddock design and fencing materials. There was ample time for questions and learning at this pasture walk.