Farmers see weeds in their crop fields every year which brings up a lot of questions. This workshop will explore applied weed ecology, why weeds grow, ecological succession, influence of soil biology, weeds as indicators of soil conditions, weeds as nutrient accumulators, and farm management strategies for ecological weed suppression.

Steve Diver was a full-time ag consultant in Central Texas between 2007-2013 -- first with Sustainable Growth Texas LLC and then Agri-Horticultural Consulting -- where he specialized in soil biology and mineral fertility. Steve has worked as an Extension Horticulturist, soils consultant, and farm manager since 1984 -- including 18 years as an agriculture specialist with ATTRA, the flagship sustainable agriculture program managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). He is currently the Farm Superintendent at University of Kentucky's Horticulture Research Farm (UK-HRF).