Summit Schedule

This event, organized by the New York Soil Health project, is for farmers, researchers, agriculture service providers, government agencies, non-profits and policy-makers interested in advancing soil health efforts across the state.

Wednesday July, 18

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9:30am – 10:00am

Rooms 2 & 3

Coffee & Registration

Please sign in, pick up your nametag, and enjoy coffee and tea.
There will be informational tables to browse. If you have materials to share, please be in touch.
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10:00am

Rooms 2 & 3

Welcome 

By Patrick Hooker, Deputy Secretary for Food and Agriculture, Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo
Patrick Hooker earned his B.S. in agricultural education at Cornell University in 1984. By 2008 he was the Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets for the state of New York. In 2011 he became director of agribusiness development for Empire State Development Corporation, where he created new markets for family farms. Hooker currently serves under the governor as deputy secretary for food and agriculture.
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10:10am

Rooms 2 & 3

Introduction & Summit Goals 

by David W. Wolfe, Cornell University
Dr. David Wolfe is Professor of Plant and Soil Ecology in the School of Integrative Plant Science (Horticulture Section) at Cornell University. Primary research interests and expertise include: soil and water conservation and management; plant stress physiology; and new tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation for managed and natural ecosystems.
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10:30am

Rooms 2 & 3

Lighting Talks – Research

By Anu Rangarajan, Greg Peck, Johannes Lehmann, Matt Ryan
Five minute talks covering soil health research:

Vegetable Crop Reduced Tillage Systems (Anu Rangarajan, Cornell University)

Apple Production and Soil Health (Greg Peck ,Cornell University)

Upcycling of Dairy Manure as a Marketable Fertilizer (Johannes Lehmann, Cornell University)

Interseeding and Perennial Grains (Matt Ryan, Cornell University)

 

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11:00am

Rooms 2 & 3

Grower Panel

Moderated by Paul Salon, USDA-NCRS
Donn Branton of Branton Farms (field crops)

Jean-Paul Courtens of Roxbury Farm (organic veg and field crops)

Dave Magos of Morning Star Farm (dairy)

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11:50am

Rooms 2 & 3

Lightning Talks – Nonprofits

By Rebecca Benner, Elizabeth Henderson, David Haight, David Grusenmeyer, Jeff Williams
Five minute talks covering nonprofit groups

The Nature Conservancy (Rebecca Benner)

Northeast Organic Farming Association (Elizabeth Henderson)

American Farmland Trust (David Haight)

New York Farm Viability Institute (David Grusenmeyer)

New York Farm Bureau (Jeff Williams)

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12:15pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Lunch (featuring local produce) and KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

“Growing a Revolution: Bringing our Soils Back to Life”

By David Montgomery, University of Washington
David Montgomery is a geomorphologist at the University of Washington who looks at the process shaping Earth’s surface and how they affect ecological systems—and human societies. In addition to his academic work, he has written a number of popular science books, including, most recently, Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life.

Lunch:  Lunch at the Summit features local produce. Lunch choices will include vegetarian options. When you register you can advise of any dietary requirements. If we cannot accomodate we will be in touch.

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1:45pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Soil Health Economics at the Farm Scale

By Lynne Knight, USDA-NRCS
Description/Bio
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1:55pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Farmer Soil Health Survey on Benefits and Constraints

By Cedric Mason, Cornell University
Cedric Mason grew up in the Northeast U.S. and attended Franklin & Marshall College, where he completed a B.A. in Physics in 2003. Cedric has years of experience working directly on farms, specializing in organic fruits and vegetables, Christmas trees, and pastured beef cattle. An Ithaca, NY resident since 2011, Cedric earned a Ph.D in the department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell in 2016, where he conducted research on perennial bioenergy crops. Cedric joined the New York State Soil Health Initiative in 2017.
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2:05pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Soil Health and Climate Change

By Jenifer Wightman and Peter Woodbury, Cornell University
Description/Bio
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2:20pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Remarks

By NYS Senate and Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chairs
Description/Bio
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2:40pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Soil Health Roadmap- Brief Introduction

By David W. Wolfe, Cornell University
Description/Bio
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2:45pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Soil Health Roadmap Breakout Sessions

 

Small group discussions
The breakout groups will be covering Research, Outreach, and Policy related Soil Health Roadmap priorities
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3:45pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Soil Health Roadmap Breakout Reports

 

Discussion recorders report
Breakout group session recorders will be asked to report out key points from their respective Research, Outreach, and Policy related Soil Health Roadmap priority discussions. 
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4:00pm

Rooms 2 & 3

Closing Remarks and ADJOURN

 

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4:00-5:00pm

Rooms 2-4

Reception – Join us!

 

Stay for some post-summit networking.
There will be a book signing by David Montgomery. Attendees can enjoy light appetizers and drinks from a cash bar.

Register Now!

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues and contribute critical feedback to the NY Soil Health Roadmap.

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