PFI Field Day: Diversifying a Row Crop Farm with Winter Camelina, Oats, Sunflowers and Cover Crops

Scott and Dawn Lightly grow corn, soybeans, oats and sunflowers and are trying winter camelina and buckwheat on 360 acres near Oakland, Minnesota. After more than 20 years of farming, a light-bulb moment in 2013 led Scott to start using cover crops and reduced tillage. A few years later, he began interseeding cover crops into his standing corn and has since noticed a big improvement in moisture retention and infiltration.

As marketing opportunities arose, Scott and Dawn started extending their rotation with small-grain and oilseed crops. They are now exploring double-cropping to get two harvested crops from one field in a year. Come see how winter camelina and sunflowers are opening the door to new possibilities on the Lightlys’ farm, with insights from Matt Leavitt of Forever Green Initiative and Anna Teeter of Cargill.

A light meal will follow the field day.