Increased interest in conservation projects and programs among farmers is spreading across Calumet County. Members of Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance (CCASA) will share updates at the group’s annual meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 23.
Several speakers will make presentations:
Steve Hoffman is an independent crop consultant with 37 years of experience. He is the project manager for the Between the Lakes Demonstration Farms Network and co-manages the Ozaukee County Demonstration Farms Network. Hoffman will share what the Between the Lakes Demonstration Farm Network has learned so far, including which cover crop mixes and planting methods are working.
Ricardo Costa, agricultural strategy manager for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), works directly with farmers to add new conservation practices, help track their outcomes and reach out to other farmers to share information and lessons learned. He is also helping to advance TNC’s Midwest agriculture strategy, which is focused on nature-based solutions that help to sustainably provide people with food and water. He will be presenting the findings from CCASA’s 2021 member conservation practices survey results.
Joe Smedberg has been the district conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Calumet County for over 11 years. Before coming to the county, he worked in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Rock and Walworth counties in southeastern Wisconsin. He will provide program updates.
Tony Reali is the county conservationist for the Calumet County Land & Water Conservation Department. Previously, Reali worked for NRCS as a soil conservation technician in Calumet and Manitowoc counties and prior to that worked for Ducks Unlimited in southern Minnesota. He will give updates on county and watershed projects, along with current and future cost-share opportunities.
Who: Calumet County Ag Stewardship Alliance
What: Annual meeting
When: 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28
Where: Neighborhood Pub & Grill, N5091 County Rd BB, Chilton
