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

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 ag producers and landowners make informed choices that will benefit the land and advance the goals of soil and water conservation.

The event will be the first in a yearlong 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, Mount 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. Cofounder of Midwestern BioAg, he continues to serve as the company’s chief visionary officer.

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

The event takes place at the Buckeye Agricultural Museum and Education Center, 877 W. Old Lincoln Way. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Zimmer’s presentation will begin at 6 p.m. and wrap up with questions and answers before 8 p.m. There is no cost to attend, however, seating is limited and an RSVP is required and may be made by phone at 330-263-5376 or online by visiting WayneSWCD.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wooster meeting to address soil health, fertility, farmland management