ELF Farm Field Day

Farm Field Day at the Edward Lowe Foundation

Farmers, land managers, and scientists gather at the Edward Lowe Foundation to discuss the conservation of agricultural ecosystems. They discussed the importance of conservation corridors (or prairie strips), which benefit aboveground biodiversity as well as belowground soil health. Incorporating these conservation areas into agricultural ecosystems re-introduces native plant diversity into the landscape. This provides nectar, host plants, nesting material, habitat and migration corridors for native birds, insects and other animals that are threatened due to habitat loss. Belowground, they decrease soil erosion, enhance soil carbon storage and help combat greenhouse gas emissions, benefitting farmers by increasing crop yields and decreasing crop pests. 

Conservation and Stewardship Manager Jarod Reibel talks about the ongoing habitat restoration activities at the Edward Lowe Foundation during a tour of the property.

Attendees from government, nonprofit and private organizations learn about the advantages of incorporating prairie strips into agricultural land.

MSU graduate students Corinn Rutkoski and Tvisha Martin talk about the microbiological aspects of soil health.

WMU Biological Sciences faculty member Dr. Kathryn Docherty talks about how prairie strips affect soil profiles in a soil pit at the Edward Lowe Foundation.