Jennifer Moore-Kucera

Building biological diversity is an objective many strip-tillers seek when developing a comprehensive system. This starts from the ground up, investing in the soil as a living resource to support crop growth.

But constructing the organic infrastructure beneath the soil surface requires an understanding of how to develop the ecological building blocks of a comprehensive conservation-minded cropping system.

As leader of the NRCS’ West Regional Soil Health Division, Jennifer Moore-Kucera views healthy soil as one of the most valuable resources strip-tillers can have for creating more sustainable farming operations.

She manages a team that aims to create management systems supporting better biological foundations throughout 13 western states in the U.S., through science-based soil health improvement strategies.

During a general session at the 2017 National Strip-Tillage Conference, Kucera will analyze the benefits, threats and opportunities strip-tillers should consider as they seek to create a stable soil biological architecture, to include water management techniques, soil evolution and crop response.

Registration is open for the 2017 event, at $234 per person and $214 for additional farm or family members, at www.StripTillConference.com. The host Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center is holding a block of rooms for the conference at a special rate of $129 per night. You can make reservations by calling (402) 331-7400 and when booking, mention code “NS8” to get the special rate.

Reservations can also be made at the Courtyard Omaha La Vista at a special rate of $109. You can make reservations by calling (402) 339-4900 and when booking, mention code, “NSTC” to get the special rate.

Preliminary plans for the event include 7 general session speakers, 12 classrooms covering a range of strip-till topics, including cover cropping, precision farming practices and equipment modifications, and 26 roundtable discussions.

Stay tuned for more conference updates by visiting www.StripTillConference.com, and we’ll see you in Omaha!