Upcoming Events

Tile Drainage Field Day 2023 


Linking Soil Health, Nutrient Management, and Water Management for Improved Water Quality

August 8th - 9th, 2023 

9 am - 4 pm (both days)

Register here by August 7th!

Field demonstration on both days includes:

Speaker session only on Aug 9 include:

Lunch is provided for free on both days. This field day is hosted by Michigan Land Improvement Contractors of America in partnership with Michigan State University. 

Previous Events

Saginaw Watershed Network Field Day

July 25th, 2022, 8:00 a.m. to Noon

Saginaw Valley Research Extension Center, 3775 S Reese Rd, Frankenmuth, MI 48734

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED

Calling all local producers! Please join us for a half day celebration and exploration of conservation practices and farm improvements. You can network with other farmers and farm experts as we explore soil conservation practices and techniques.

Here are some highlights from the agenda:


Conservation in Action on the Farm

Wayne will welcome you to the farm and talk how what they are learning that could improve your operation. You'll hear other farmers describe how they have stopped losing soil to wind and rain, cut down on input costs, and feel good about the water heading downstream from their farm. 

If you want to learn more, representatives from conservation organizations will be on hand to discuss the assistance they have to offer.

Your host, Wayne Bierlein, WMW Bierlein Farms Ltd.

Dr. Christie Sprague, Crops and Soils Sciences Program Director, Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center

Success In the Soil

Research at the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center has allowed Michigan producers to be national leaders in sugar beet and dry bean production. Dr. Sprague will discuss the use of herbicides and how they interact with the use of cover crops.


"Soil Your Undies"

Chewed-up, ripped, torn, threadbare, riddled with holes, completely, utterly soiled--the undies on the farm are falling to pieces. And that's just the way they like it.

Dr. Sprague and Wayne Bierlein will show you how they "plant" pairs of new, cotton underwear in the soil they are wondering about -- and what the deterioration of these undies reveals over time.

A humorous demonstration that reveals so much about the value of healthy soil to your farm

Lunch and Roundtable

At lunch, we will share information about the Saginaw Watershed Farmer Network and introduce leaders from other farmer-led watershed groups around the state.

Participants will be invited to get involved with farmer-to-farmer learning groups centered around water quality farming..... the Bay Way! 

Full Agenda