“Meeting T” Understanding the RUSLE2 Program for Organic Grain Farms
There’s no way around it - most organic farms rely on lots of tillage, especially for managing weeds. Accounting for erosion in organic row crops can be a big issue in the RUSLE2 computer program, where producers need to “meet T” to be eligible for NRCS funding. There are times when ag advisors need to understand the RUSLE2 program so that they can advocate for their organic farmers and their eligibility in cost-share programs.
In this episode we’ll understand the RUSLE 2 program with the national expert and a state organic specialist and learn how NRCS determines T (acceptable soil loss). You’ll learn “what’s under the hood” of RUSLE2, so that you can use it to improve the conservation plans of your farmers. We’ll discuss how advisors can use RUSLE2 to identify where a farmer’s rotation can be tweaked to reduce soil loss. We’ll also talk about farming practices that reduce soil loss.
This is a free Zoom Event!
SPEAKERS
Giulio Ferruzzi
Giulio Ferruzzi, Ph.D., is a Conservation Agronomist with the NRCS. He specializes in supporting the use of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE2), Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS) and the Windows Pesticide Screening Tool (WIN-PST) while also supporting organic agriculture. He is the NRCS liaison to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for the RUSLE2 program.
Russell Kleinschmidt
Russell Kleinschmidt is a state resource conservationist with the NRCS in Minnesota, and also the organic lead for the state. He also runs a market farm from his home.
Sam Oschwald Tilton, Facilitator
“I have worked with organic farmers all over the US and Canada to understand production systems and solve weed management issues. This past season, on farms and in winter conferences, I spoke with as many farmers and ag professionals as I could to understand the questions that organic producers have, and the experts that they’d like to learn from. Those conversations helped me identify the topics and guests for this series. I am excited to bring together a wide range of farmers and ag professionals from many backgrounds, all of whom have an experienced perspective to share. In each call I look forward to having an intelligent conversation with the guest that introduces the topic to those who are unfamiliar and also dives deep to bring further understanding and clear tips to listeners. After the conversation, we’ll take questions from listeners, so that they can communicate directly with each guest to get the answers that they need. My goal for this call series is to provide crucial information on topics facing organic and transition-curious farmers, in an approachable conversation that listeners can easily listen to during their lunch hour.”
“This episode is a unique opportunity to learn from a national and state expert about the RUSLE2 program, and how it can work for organic farmers.”
This series is brought to you by Albert Lea Seed House.
Albert Lea is a fourth-generation, family-owned, independent farm seed company with a full line of organic and non-gmo field crop seed, and knowledgeable reps.
This event is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).