Ag author Gary Zimmer to speak in Wooster

Internationally known author, speaker and agricultural consultant Gary Zimmer will speak on soil health, soil fertility and managing farmland for regenerative success on Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. at the Buckeye Agricultural Museum and Education Center in Wooster.

Known as the “father of biological agriculture,” Zimmer emphasizes developing healthy, mineralized soils from the ground up through use of cover crops, balanced crop rotation and organic practices.

The event is sponsored by the Four County Soil Health Group — a collaboration of soil and water conservation districts in Coshocton, Holmes, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties.

The group works together developing programming and rallying resources to help agricultural producers and landowners make informed choices that will benefit the land and advance the goals of soil and water conservation.

Healthy soil is living, productive soil that requires fewer inputs and can yield a better return on investment while benefiting the natural ecosystem.

This event will be the first in a year-long series, spread across the four-county area in hopes of promoting best management practices that optimize soil health. Zimmer’s appearance is being underwritten by Ackerman’s Equipment and Rental of Mt. Hope.

Zimmer was raised on a dairy farm in Northeastern Wisconsin and holds a bachelor's degree in dairy nutrition from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from the University of Hawaii.

For over 50 years, he has been developing ecological farming practices and sharing his knowledge with the world. Co-founder of Midwestern BioAg, he continues to serve as the company’s chief visionary officer and has authored three books including “The Biological Farmer; A Complete Guide to the Sustainable and Profitable Biological System of Farming.”

Along with his family, Zimmer operates Otter Creek Organic Farm, an award-winning 1,600-acre farm near Lone Rock, Wisconsin, and he partners in an agribusiness consulting firm with his daughter and co-author Leilani Zimmer-Durand.

The Buckeye Agricultural Museum and Education Center is located at 877 W. Old Lincoln Way, across from the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 5 p.m., giving guests an opportunity to view the museum’s exhibits of early farming equipment that spans the time period from the pioneer settlement of Wayne County to the 1940s.

Zimmer’s presentation will begin at 6 p.m. and wrap up with a Q-and-A before 8 p.m. There is no cost to attend; however, seating is limited, and an RSVP is required by phone at 330-263-5376 or online at www.WayneSWCD.org.