The North American Manure Expo is approaching quickly. Held Aug. 9-10 in Arlington, WI, the Expo will feature networking, tours, demonstrations, trade shows, education sessions and so much more.
New this year will be a safety and operations knowledge event in which experts share best practices on staying safe when working with manure. We will also hold an evening social on the first day so you can have even more time to meet with your fellow nutrient management professionals, exchange tales from in the field and shoot the “you-know-what.”
One Expo tradition that remains popular is the education sessions. On the second day, attendees can attend up to four sessions, for which they can gain valuable credits. Sessions include topics such as: manure emissions during processing; interaction of cover crops and manure; manure innovations of the Northeast and more.
Here are just some of the industry experts who will present at the Expo:
Matt Ruark
Sessions: Interaction of cover crops and manure; What’s the relationship between manure and soil health?
Dr. Matt Ruark is a professor in the department of soil science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an extension specialist in UW-Madison’s division of extension. His nutrient cycling and agroecosystems laboratory works to improve knowledge of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon cycling in grain, dairy, and vegetable cropping systems. He also serves as faculty advisor to the UW-Discovery Farms program and the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association.
Nancy Bohl Bormann
Session: Testing manure: Variability and trends over time
Nancy is a PhD candidate in the soil, water, and climate department at the University of Minnesota. A native of New Richmond, WI, she graduated with her BS from Iowa State University in Agricultural Education and Environmental Science and a MS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Soil Science. She worked for The Maschhoffs for 14 years as a CCA in the swine nutrient management and environmental services area before returning to graduate school. She resides in north central Iowa on her family’s grain farm.
Melissa Wilson
Sessions: Applying fall manure to hybrid rye; Nitrification inhibitors and manure
Dr. Melissa Wilson is an associate professor and the manure nutrient management specialist at the University of Minnesota with appointments in both research and extension. Her research focuses on filling knowledge gaps about manure nutrient cycling as farming practices, weather, and technologies change. She is also currently evaluating techniques for opening up the window of opportunity for manure application.
Heather Darby
Session: Manure innovations of the Northeast
Heather Darby is an extension agronomist with the University of Vermont. For the last 20 years, she has worked in partnership with the farming community to develop conservation practices that make economic and environmental sense. Heather’s applied research and extension program investigates and highlights innovative crop, manure, and soil management techniques that support the needs and interests of farmers.
Kirsten Workman
Session: Manure innovations of the Northeast
Kirsten is passionate about the connection between agriculture and the environment. With more than 20 years of experience working with farmers in Washington state, Vermont and New York, she leads extension programming and applied research focused on nutrient management and environmental sustainability for Cornell’s Pro-Dairy program and is a member of the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program team. She enjoys working with all facets of the dairy industry to demonstrate and evaluate conservation cropping systems that benefit farms and the environment. As a Certified Crop Adviser, she aims to identify practical and effective strategies that can be adopted by northeast producers that both increase environmental sustainability and improve farm profitability and management. She believes in the importance of sharing sustainable farming practices with the public and enjoys helping farmers spread the word about what they are doing right for the land, the water, the air, and their communities. Collaboration is one of her core values and as such, she has and continues to serve on a diverse set of coalitions, workgroups, and committees to devise solutions for water quality, soil health, climate resiliency, policy and regulatory decisions, and public education.
