Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a Building Healthy Soil Workshop Series. This FREE series will cover many soil health topics and you can register for the sessions that most interest you!
The District has a long history of helping landowners manage their soil resources. Healthy soil is the foundation of productive, sustainable agriculture. Managing for soil health allows producers to work with the land – not against it – to reduce erosion, maximize water infiltration, improve nutrient cycling, save money on inputs, and ultimately improve the resiliency of their working land.
Register for: Soil Health – Tools You Can Use
Our soil health series will kick off on Thursday, May 1, 2025 with Soil Health – Tools You Can Use. This class will be led by Shannon Cappellazzi of Oregon Statue University Extension.
- When: Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Where: Clackamas SWCD, 22055 S. Beavercreek Rd., Beavercreek, OR 97004
- Cost: FREE
- Registration is open now!
Register for: Cover Crops in Perennial and Multi-Year Cropping Systems
Join former Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Expert Dean Moburg for this valuable session on cover crops.
- When: Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon
- Where: Clackamas SWCD, 22055 S. Beavercreek Rd., Beavercreek, OR 97004
- Cost: FREE
- Register here today!
Photo from USDA NRCS
Why Cover Crops Matter
Picking the right cover crop to grow with your main crop can be tricky. What works well on one farm might not work on another. Still, one thing is certain: soil with plants growing on it is healthier than bare soil. Leaving soil uncovered can cause problems like erosion and water loss.
Who Benefits from Covered Soil?
Plants Benefit
When living plants cover the soil, they protect it from pounding raindrops and slow down water that might wash the soil away. That soil is a big deal—it’s the base of your whole farm. Don’t let it wash away!
Plant roots, both alive and dead, help make the soil better by feeding tiny organisms that live underground. These organisms, along with the roots, form a living system that improves the structure of the soil. This makes it easier for rainwater to soak in, and helps the soil hold onto more water. That’s super important during hot, dry summers when every drop counts.
Healthy soil also means plants get more of the nutrients they need, so you may not need as much fertilizer. And soil with plant cover stays cooler, which helps crops survive during extreme heat.
Growers Benefit
When plants are healthier, they’re better at fighting off insects and diseases. That means less spraying and fewer chemicals!
Healthier plants can also lead to bigger harvests, which means more to sell—and more money for you.
Also, when the soil is covered with plants, weeds don’t have as much space to grow. That means less weeding, fewer trips with the tractor, and lower fuel and labor costs.
Want to Learn More About Soil Health?
Come discover how to improve your soil health—and enjoy all the benefits that come with it! Future Building Healthy Soil sessions will include experience with cover crops, voles, and more! Get started by registering now for Soil Health – Tools You Can Use and Cover Crops for Perennial and Multi-Year Cropping Systems.
This workshop series is offered by Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with Oregon State University Extension.
