Join The Land Connection and Zumwalt Acres on September 19th for a full-day event of skill sharing, relationship building, a morning tour of Zumwalt’s climate-smart farming practices with an emphasis on their work with basalt, and an afternoon facilitated discussion on climate change and farming!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- USDA Climate Smart Commodities enhanced weathering
- Enhanced weathering in regenerative and silvopasture systems
- SARE High Tunnel Rock Weathering Research
- Rock wool implementation
- Agroforestry including alley cropping and perennial polyculture
- Engaging conversation about agriculture and climate change
ALLEY CROPPING
Alley cropping is the planting of rows of trees and/or shrubs to create alleys within which agricultural or horticultural crops are produced. The trees may include valuable hardwood veneer or lumber species; fruit, nut or other specialty crop trees/shrubs; or desirable softwood species for wood fiber production. Alley cropping offers a viable option for farmers and landowners interested in adopting carbon sequestration and conservation practices while maintaining working lands; 1 acre of alley cropping sequesters .65 tons of carbon per year.
PERENNIAL POLYCULTURE FARMING
The integration of a variety of crops that grow back after harvest into a broader agricultural operation. This system does not require frequent tillage and allows crops to establish deep roots that protect the soil from erosion. Crops commonly incorporated into polycultures include shrubs, bushes, and trees as well as some varieties of legumes, oilseeds, and grains.
BASALT WEATHERING
Basalt is a common rock loaded with silicate minerals that remove emissions from the atmosphere. It is also rich in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and other often-limited micronutrients, and it corrects soil pH levels in a similar way to agricultural lime. By crushing the rock into dust, it can be used as a natural, climate-friendly soil amendment that helps the planet, boosts crop yields, and repairs soils. The basalt provides a steady nutrient flow to your field as it dissolves. This method has been tested on large trial plots with vegetables and grain in Illinois, Wisconsin, and beyond. Farmers have seen increased crop yields and measurable carbon dioxide capture.
Schedule:
- 9:30 – 10:00: Registration
- 10:00 – 11:00: Introductions
- 11:00 – 12:00: Farm Tour and Discussion of Diversified Agricultural Practices
- 12:00 – 12:30: Nutshell Talks from Agricultural Institutions and Technical Service Providers
- 12:30 – 1:30: Tabling & Catered Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:00: Roundtable Discussion
About Zumwalt Acres
Zumwalt Acres is an educational farm and community that is rooted in Jewish values and utilizes regenerative and climate smart agricultural methods. Agricultural practices include agroforestry systems, perennial polyculture, soil health practices, carbon capture experimentation, and more. It was founded by the youngest generation of the Zumwalt family and their peers in 2020 on land in Sheldon, IL that has been in the Zumwalt family for over 150 years.”
About Climate Smart Commodities (CSC)
The USDA is committed to supporting a diverse range of farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners through Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. This effort will expand markets for America’s climate-smart commodities, leverage the greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide direct, meaningful benefits to production agriculture, including for small and underserved producers.
