This event began at the DuBois Regional Airport when Pilot Rudy Vrbanic of Vrbanic Aero Service Company of Indiana, PA landed his
plane as many onlookers watched.
Jim Berry, Jefferson Conservation District, provided participants with information on the seeding as well as Pilot, Rudy
Vrbanic. Dave Coulter, Natural Resources Conservation Service also provided information on EQIP and other cost share programs
available.
Attendees watched while the plane was calibrated for the Annual Rye Grass and Cereal Rye seed. They were also able to assist
with loading the plane with the seed.
The plane took flight and aerial seeded fields near the airport, the Smith Oak Farm and Kevin Plummer farms. This seed will
provide a cover crop for the fields in the winter. Cover crops such as rye grass offer great benefits because they provide a
soil cover or barrier against soil erosion. In addition, cover crops can improve the soil by adding organic matter, nutrients
and stability and by acting as scavengers to trap leftover nutrients that otherwise might leach out.
Results of this seeding
will be seen at the Cover Crop Field Day on October 9, 2009 at the Smith Oak Farm. Register now and plan to attend.
Aerial Seeding Demonstration
Hosted by Jefferson Conservation District
An aerial seeding demonstration was held on Friday, August
14, 2009.