NJ farmers know that the weather is becoming more unpredictable, with heavier rains and increasing drought conditions. Soil health practices can help build your soils capacity to absorb water during those heavy rain events and hold onto that moisture through drought. Take part in the Soils Field Day to learn about those practices and swap first-hand knowledge with other farmers.
Thurs. Oct. 29th, 2026 at Harvest Hall at Alstede Farms | 10am-2:45pm
What can you do to keep your farm productive when the weather doesn’t cooperate?
Join the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) for a Soils Field Day focused on practical ways to manage your soils for greater productivity and resilience in the face of heavier rainfall, drought, and extreme weather.
When soils can absorb and hold water during heavy rain—and make that water available to crops during dry periods—they can better support consistent production. We’ll look at how various soil properties affect how soils function on the farm, and how practices such as adding compost can help improve those characteristics over time.
We know the most valuable knowledge comes from farmers! There will be plenty of time to hear and share first-hand knowledge from other farmers on what soil health practices have and haven’t worked for them.
Whether you are dealing with fields that dry out too quickly, struggle to drain after heavy rain, or simply want to make better use of your soil and available resources, this field day will provide practical information and opportunities to help you make decisions that work for your farm.
The event will be held rain or shine. The field portion of this event will be a walking tour. Please bring suitable footwear and gear. The rest of the event will be inside. For more information, please contact North Jersey RC&D staff at 908.574.5368 at email Sam at [email protected].
TSPs: This event is eligible for 3 Nutrient Management credits in all ag categories for Maryland.
Agenda:
Soils Field Day Agenda
Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ)
10-2:45pm, Thurs. Oct. 29th, 2026 | Harvest Hall at Alstede Farms
Agenda subject to changes.
Time
Details
10:00am
Registration OpenSign-in at registration. Light snacks and coffee/tea available. If you signed up for a biological soil analysis, drop off your soil or compost sample.
10:15 am
Welcome & What You’ll Take Home A quick overview of the day and what to expect.
10:20-10:40
What’s Changing for NJ Farmers? Climate & Extreme Weather Dr. Anthony Broccoli, Rutgers University, will give a look at recent weather trends and what farmers may see in the coming decades.
10:40-11:00
Managing Heavy Rain & Drought: What’s Working on Your Farm? Practical ways to reduce runoff and improve water-holding capacity, followed by a farmer-to-farmer discussion about what’s working—and what isn’t—in your fields.
11:00-12:30
In the Field: What Can Your Soil Tell You? Walk the fields at Alstede Farms and learn about their conservation practices, including composting, cover crops, double cropping, and conservation strips. Fred Schoenagel, NRCS Resource Soil Scientist, will demonstrate what soil properties to look for in your own fields and how simple tests and observations can inform management decisions.
12:30-12:45
What’s Alive in Your Soil?Rajani Karuturi explores soil biology under the microscope and why it matters to farmers.
12:45-1:15
Lunch & Your Soil Sample Under the Microscope Enjoy lunch catered by Alstede Farms. Bring your soil or compost sample to lunch! We’ll cover the cost for the first 10 participants who signed up during registration.
1:15-2:00
Basics of Compost, Types of Composting SystemsVirginia Lamb will cover composting basics and systems for farms of different scales. Brad Burke of Longmeadow Farm will share his experience with windrow and aerated static pile leaf composting, and Rajani Karuturi will discuss the Johnson-Su compost method.
2:00-2:45
NJ On-Farm Compost RegulationsRachel DeFlumeri, NJDA, will walk through what farmers need to know about NJ on-farm composting regulations and ManureLink: what it is and how to use it; and any updates on NJ REAL Rules.
What's alive in YOUR soil or compost? Bring a scoop of soil from your fields and Rajani Karuturi will analyze the soil under a microscope and give you a soil biology score. You can track the biology in your soil from year-to-year to see if management practices are making improvements to your soil health. $50/sample.
*The first 10 participants who register for a soil biology test will receive the test free of charge through the Regenerative Farm Network's (RFN-NJ) One-to-One Technical Assistance and Soil Testing grant program.
Click the flyer below for more information.
*By registering and attending this event, I authorize North Jersey Resource, Conservation & Development (RC&D) the right and permission to take and use photos, video, and audio that I may appear in. Their use would be for strictly RC&D promotional purposes, including on the website, social media, and printed materials, without compensation and without the need for my prior approval of the final images.
Cost covered by RFN-NJ funding for the first 10 participants. Covers 1 sample per participant.
$50/sample to be paid to Rajani Karuturi at the event.
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