EAST LANSING, Mich. — An annual educational workshop, the Soil Seminar, is slated for 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Morgan Composting, Inc., in Sears, Mich.
Several Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension) educators and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) faculty members will join industry representatives and farmers for a day full of education.
This year’s seminar theme is “Layering of Good Practices to Build Healthy Soils.”
Keynote speaker and nematologist George Bird will kick off the day with a discussion titled “The Science of Soil Health.” Bird is a professor emeritus in the Department of Entomology at MSU.
Other speakers include:
John Biernbaum, professor in the Department of Horticulture, who will talk about worm composting.
Jason Rountree, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science, who will talk about the soil biology of pasture management.
Vicki Marrone, an organic farming specialist with the Center for Regional Food Systems at MSU, whose talk is called “Food Labels: Organic, Sustainable, GMOs — An In-depth Discussion.”
Jim Byrum, president of the Michigan Agribusiness Association, who will talk about large-scale agricultural production.
Craig Schaff, a local farmer, who will talk about intensive vegetable farming.
Laren Avery, head brewer at Mountain Town Station Brewery, who will talk about Michigan’s brewing industry and hops production in Michigan.
Other highlights include a hog roast lunch as well as short farm tours around the property  showcasing the vermicomposting site, the blending and bagging facility, and the compost processing facility.
Admission for the seminar is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To preregister, call 231-734-2451. Questions about the program can be directed to Amy Lowney at Morgan Composting via email at info@dairydoo.com or phone at 231-734-2451.