American Farmland Trust is seeking applicants for the New York regional Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT). The applications will be due June 21st. The first session begins August 27-28 in Canandaigua, New York. Participants will be expected to attend (4) in-person 2-day trainings in the region between August 2024 and April 2025. The applications are now open. Please click on this link to access the application and this link to review the application guidelines.
AFT hopes to attract a diverse applicant pool; please share this training information with anyone you think might be a good fit!
- Eligibility:
- Commodities: Wheat, Corn, Cotton, Soy, Dairy
- Regions: Midwest, Southeast, New England, New York State, Mid-Atlantic
- Cost:
- Free for selected participants
- Travel stipends provided for full course participation
- Dates:
- Applications are due by June 21st
- Training begins August 27-28, 2024, in Canandaigua, NY
- Four in-person 2-day sessions from August 2024 to April 2025
- Highlights:
- Hands-on training with top soil health experts
- Includes farm visits and practical management strategies
- Completion certificate and Soil Health Impact Plan provided
The Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT) is designed for corn, soybean, wheat, and dairy farmers and farm advisors who share an interest in improving soil health and who will share their knowledge and expertise with their clients, communities, and the next generation of farmers. We will prioritize these farm types, but all farm types/sizes should apply as we aim to fill all available spots. This hands-on curriculum combines classroom time with half-day visits to innovative local farms to see soil health practices in action.
This training will be led by soil health experts Barry Fisher, Brandon Smith, and Dennis Chessman, who have each had long careers in NRCS’ Soil Health Division, in addition to regional experts from Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, American Farmland Trust, and more. The training will address practical management challenges such as cropping systems for improved soil health; how to conduct a soil health assessment; cover crop management, (including selection, planting, termination, equipment, and more); new technologies, assessments, and products for soil health; and economic considerations. In addition to a certificate of completion, participants will graduate with a completed Soil Health Impact Plan and guidance/resources for mentoring others in soil health practices.
This training is free of charge for all accepted applicants and includes a travel stipend to cover all costs. Although many free-soil health resources exist online, this is a unique opportunity to ask all your management questions to national and local experts in a hands-on, intensive experience. Farmers and farm advisors who continue working as Soil Health Advisors will also receive a stipend.