Conservation field days coming up in the Western Lake Erie Basin
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EmailDon’t miss these demos on tillage equipment, cover crop flyover, soil pit, manure spills and more in the Basin.
This August and September 2026, Michigan State University Extension and local Conservation Districts are bringing producers, crop advisers and agricultural professionals together for a series of free, hands-on field days across the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) region in partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Development’s (MDARD) WLEB Pay-for-Performance Conservation Incentive Program. The program is led by Michigan State University's (MSU) Institute of Water Research. Each event offers practical demonstrations and expert insights into the phosphorus-loss reducing practices that are available in the program. Only WLEB farmers are eligible to enroll in the Pay-for-Performance program, but everyone is welcome to attend the field days.
August 12
Lenawee Conservation District Center for Excellence Field Day
The 30th year of the Center for Excellence field day. Showcasing sustainable ag research in Lenawee County, the event will highlight topics on precision nutrient management, cover crops and no-till management for corn, soybean and wheat production. There will be a cover crop seeding airplane flyover demonstration. Restricted use pesticide (RUP)/certified crop adviser (CCA) credits are available.
August 19
MSU Manure Spill Response Field Day
In promoting safety and environmental stewardship, join MSU Extension as we host a manure spill emergency action demonstration. Come get a firsthand view of what to do if you are present during a manure spill. Topics will range from safety, cleanup, a list of who to notify and much more.
August 20
Hillsdale Nutrient Management Field Day
Come join the annual Hillsdale Nutrient Management Field Day. The keynote speaker will be the 2025 Leopold Conservation Award Winner in Minnesota, Tom Cotter. The field day will showcase best practices for fertilizer application, nutrient budgeting and soil testing. There will also be a sprayer drone calibration. RUP/CCA credits are available.
August 28
Washtenaw Conservation District Field Day
The Washtenaw Conservation District Field Day will have a focus on interpreting soil health test results from the Haney and BeCrop soil tests. The field day will also include multiple demonstrations such as a rainfall simulator, drone application, a crimper and more.
September 9
Monroe Tillage and Soil Health Field Day
In collaboration with the Monroe Conservation District, MSU Extension will be hosting a field day with topics including long term no-till trends, conservation drainage, manure and tillage, as well as PFAS in cropping systems. There will be multiple tillage implement demonstrations and a soil pit. One RUP and three CCA credits are available.
About the Pay-for-Performance program
The WLEB Pay-for-Performance Conservation Incentive Program is a bold new initiative led by Michigan State University’s Institute of Water Research in partnership with MSU Extension and local conservation partners to directly address phosphorus pollution in the Western Lake Erie Basin. This innovative program pays producers based on the actual performance of their conservation practices, measured in dollars per pound of phosphorus loss reduced.
Program enrollment will launch in August 2026 and extend through 2032.
For more information about the Pay-for-Performance program, reach out to David DeYoung (deyoun59@msu.edu) and Jeremiah Asher (asherjer@msu.edu).