UC Cooperative Extension will host a Healthy Soils Program field demonstration day on cover cropping in rice systems. The meeting will take place on Thursday, February 29th, from 9:30am to noon, on Staten Island in San Joaquin County (23319 N. Staten Island Road, Thornton). Presentations will describe field trials to evaluate winter cover cropping, incentive programs for growers, and weed management topics ahead of the 2024 growing season. There will also be an opportunity to view different cover crop species for performance. Attendance is free, and registration is not required. CCA continuing education credits will be offered (0.5 PM, 1.0 CM, 0.5 PD). The agenda is pasted below, and a downloadable version is attached. Thanks for your interest in UC Cooperative Extension programming, and we hope to see you later this month!

9:30am     Arrive at Staten Island grain silo to sign in (See yellow star on the map)

9:45am     Depart to field location – Don't be late!

10:00am   Welcome and Introductions: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE Delta Region            

10:05am   Winter Cover Cropping in Rice Systems – Field Demonstrations: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE Delta Region

10:20am   Cover Crop Variety Evaluations: Sara Rosenberg, UC Davis

10:35am   A Grower's Perspective on Cover Crops: Jerred Dixon, Conservation Farms and Ranches

10:55am   Healthy Soils Program – Block Grant Pilot Program: Chris Kelley, CA Land Stewardship Institute

11:10am   What's New in Rice Weed Management: Whitney Brim-DeForest, UCCE Sutter/Yuba

11:25am   Weedy Rice Updates: Whitney Brim-DeForest and Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE

11:40am   Discussion, Viewing of Field Plots, Evaluation