Conservation tillage training conference to be held in July

Farmers and interested persons can learn about the benefits of conservation tillage at the 2008 "Eighth Conservation Production Systems Training Conference and 30th Southern Conservation Agriculture Systems Conference" set for Tuesday, July 29, through Thursday, July 31, at the UGA - Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton. The three-day conference is designed to educate/share information about conservation tillage systems topics between farmers, researchers, extension agents and NRCS personnel in an interactive setting.

This conference promotes a "Systems Approach" to sustainable agriculture and conservation tillage. Topics to be covered in concurrent breakout sessions include Precision Ag Management Tools, Water/Irrigation, Organic Production, Pest Management, Bioenergy Shifts, Future Technology in Conser- vation Tillage and much more! Additionally, educational exhibits related to conservation tillage will be on display.

The conference is co-sponsored by the GA DNR- Pollution Prevention Assistance Division, Fort Valley State University, USDA-Risk Management Agency, Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance, Georgia Organics, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Central Savannah RC&D Council, Coastal Georgia RC&D Council, Seven Rivers RC&D Council, South Georgia Regional Development Center, The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Georgia Coastal Management Program, USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA - Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, USDA - Agricultural Research Service, Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems, Regional Project Number SERA-IEG 20 and many more. The conference registration fee, per person, is $150, excluding lodging, and $225 per person, including lodging. Vendors, equipment dealers and other agriculture supply dealers are welcome to set up product displays, for a small fee. Farmers may be eligible for scholarships to cover registration fees, if submitted by the deadline of Monday, July 7, and as long as funds are available.

For more information or to register for the 2008 Conservation Production Systems Training Conference and Southern Conservation Agriculture Systems Conference, please contact Karen McBrayer at (229) 386-3416 or by E-mail at karensm@uga.edu. Registration can also be completed online at www.ugatiftonconference.org under Upcoming Events.