January 24, 2002

Tile Drainage Workshops Scheduled

Farmland tile drainage design workshops will be held at the Northland Inn in Crookston, Minn. on Feb.26 and 27. The workshop is a cooperative effort between the University of Minnesota Extension Service, the North Dakota State University Extension Service and the Minnesota Land Improvement Contractors Association.

Over the past several years problems with excess water have interfered with farming operations, prevented fields from being planted, and caused wet basements and problems associated with high water tables. Tom Scherer, NDSU extension agricultural engineer, says tile drainage may be an answer to some of these problems, and many farmers have expressed interest in tile drainage.

The workshop is designed to help farmers, landowners, crop consultants, soil and water resource advisers, public officials, tile drainage contractors and other interested persons understand the advantages and limitations of tile drainage.

The first day of the two-day workshop will cover subsurface tile drainage design, including planning, tile sizing, lateral spacing and the Minnesota Drainage Guide. Environmental concerns and tile drainage experiences will also be topics. The second day will include hands-on tile drainage design exercises, farmer and contractor tile installation experiences and economics. Presenters and discussion leaders will be soil and water resource advisers, tiling contractors and university faculty members. Several tile manufacturers and equipment suppliers will host display booths.

Pre-registration for the workshop is required and seating is limited. The fee is $100 per person for both days and $60 for a single day. Certified Crop Adviser credits (five to six per day, all in the soil and water category) are available through the Minnesota Certified Crop Adviser program.

To register contact Jean Spohr at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, Min. at (320) 589-1711 or spohrjm@mrs.umn.edu.

For a copy of the workshop brochure, contact Tom Scherer at(701) 231-7239, email tscherer@ndsuext.nodak.edu , or contact your county extension office. The program and registration information can also be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/upcoming.htm .

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Source: Tom Scherer, (701) 231-7239, tscherer@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865, gmoran@ndsuext.nodak.edu