Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference

Hardin County – The Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTTC) plans to be in- person March 8-9 at Ohio Northern University in Ada after being virtual this past year. Connect with other farmers and CCA’s, experience new ideas, and increase your net income. Historically over 800 individuals will attend each day of this two-day conference, making it the largest agricultural meeting in northwestern Ohio.

The meeting and program have been developed by The Ohio State University Extension Specialists along with Agriculture and Natural Resources Educators in local counties with assistance from local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Farmers, consultants, industry representatives, and government officials will meet each day to listen to university specialists, industry representatives, and producers discuss new products and ideas for agriculture. Steve Groff, author of the new book, The Future-Proof Farm, will be the opening speaker at the General Session, starting at 8:30, March 8. He will also speak during a breakout session and be on a panel with other farmers. Master Farmer Awards and CCA of the Year will be announced.

All four concurrent sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. The Tuesday session on “Soil Health, Cover Crops and No-till” will include Eileen Kladivko; Anna Cates; Shalamar Armstrong; Peter Thomlinson; and Gary Lesoing. The same session on Wednesday will include Sarah Noggle, David Brandt, Jane Fife, Paul Gross, plus others from the Midwest Cover Crops Council.

The other three concurrent sessions on Tuesday are: Nutrient Management, Agronomic Crop Management, and Precision Ag & Technology. The Nutrient Management session will include Sam Mullins, Laura Johnson, Dee Jepsen, and Glen Arnold. The Crop Management sessions include Laura Lindsay, Manni Singh, Emerson Nafziger, Pierce Paul, David Brandt (on Regenerative Ag.), and Mark Loux.

The four sessions on Wednesday will begin at 8:30, and end about 4:30. The Soil Health and Crop Management sessions will continue. The other two focus on: Water Quality and Conservation Practices, and Alternative Crops and Hot Topics.

Registration is a flat rate of $100 (after February 25, registration is $150). This registration is available online at https://www.allenswcd.com/cttc/ and includes exclusive access to all presentations online after about March 21. These will be available until April 22. For Crop Consultants, the QR code will be active for that month. (Crop Consultants must register individually to receive CCA credits.)

Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss one-on-one with speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, and other participants. As noted above, your registration includes exclusive online video-demand access to all presentations for a month, starting about March 21. Currently, ONU requires that everyone wear a mask while inside a building.

Article written by Randall Reeder, OSU-FABE (Retired) and edited by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator-Hardin County.