The 6th Annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference will be held on Feb. 11-12 at the Delta Center for Performing Arts, located at 822 Grand Ave.

The conference is designed to educate producers, orchardists, ranchers, government officials, and the broad community about ways to increase organic matter and increase the health of our soils by using cover crop, green manure, grazing, composting, entomology and other sustainable practices.

Nationally renowned speakers Gabe Brown and Jay Fuhrer will highlight the 2016 conference. The conference will feature a mixture of keynote speakers, 2015 local cover crop date and testing information, as well as breakout sessions. Keynote speakers Gabe Brown will present “Holistic Regeneration of Our Lands, a Producers Prospective,” and Jay Fuhrer will present “It’s Not Just Dirt Anymore!” Each will also be part of several breakout sessions. Local experts Katie Alexander and Steve Woodis will discuss local cover crop results, which will provide details on a number of local producers who utilize cover crops.

Soil health is critical to the future of agricultural production on the Western Slope. With a contingent of concerned farmers as well as community groups and government officials, the Western Slope has been able to take soil health education and implement techniques and specifically adjust them for the local area. As pressure on agricultural production increase, soil health practices can insure that the Western Slopes agricultural needs are met with sustainable production, quality and economic viability.

Delta County Economic Development is the fiscal and administrative agent for the Western Slope Soil Health Conference. Understanding that soil is a treasure, DCED in conjunction with NRCS, local conservation districts as well as individuals active in the agricultural community have come together to prepare the conference.

Details: www.westerncoloradosoilhealth.com or 970-874-4992.