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| Ohio drainage school offers soil water control education |
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Varying soil types on the same farm can challenge the best farmers in many ways. Clay, silt and sand particles make up our soils, mixed up with organic matter and hosting a wide variety of macro and microorganisms. In much of the Midwest, removing excess soil moisture is a key to improving the productivity of our cropping systems. In fact, some of our best farmers will tell you that dollars invested in improved drainage provide the best returns by multiplying the benefits of all other inputs.
The March 22-26 Overholt Drainage School in west central Ohio provides soil water control training for land improvement contractors, farmers, soil and water technicians, consultants and others. Basic concepts, principles and skills related to the purpose, design, layout, construction and management of soil and water conservation systems, are all taught, with emphasis on water management and water quality.
Dr. Larry Brown, Ohio State University Extension ag engineer and water management specialist, heads a list of instructors that includes additional university faculty, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Districts engineers and technicians plus Agricultural Research Service engineers and scientists. OLICA (Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Assoc. experienced contractors and associates also provide key knowledge support to the program.
Registration is possible for three individual sessions or the full five-day program. Session 1 on March 22 and 23, provides training on laser surveying, topographic mapping and GPS mapping of drainage systems. Extensive fieldwork, classroom instruction and evening work sessions are planned. A basic knowledge of elevations is required.
Session 2, March 23-25, focuses on agricultural subsurface drainage and installation. Minor fieldwork is possible along with classroom instruction and work sessions. A general understanding of drainage and leveling is required.
Session 3 on March 26 details drainage water management, including controlled drainage system design and installation. Again, class and fieldwork will be included. Completion of a subsurface drainage design educational program will be encouraged.
The Winner Harvest Barn on St. Rt. 47 in western Logan County near Degraff serves as the host site for this extensive training event. Practical experience scheduled as part of the fieldwork incorporates the design and layout of a complete subsurface system for an approximately 40-acre or more field near the site.
Early sign-up by March 9 saves you a significant amount of money over the final deadline of March 16. All participants are expected to bring a calculator, warm clothes and boots for fieldwork. Enrollment is limited in number, and only to those who have signed up by March 16.
Farmers who already do their own tiling may be interested in enrolling in this program. Periodically, we hear of farmers who are thinking of acquiring a used wheel ditcher or tile plow. Of course, draining obvious wet spots or fields with over 2 percent slope can often be easy to tile. However, anyone considering the installation of systematically or patterned drainage design would be well advised to consider the Overholt Drainage School.
Questions? Please contact Dr. Brown at brown.59@osu.edu or 614.292.3826 for additional information, enrollment forms and references. |
| 2/17/2010 |
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