Milan Prepares for 30th No Till Day

“I started working here when I was 16 years old in 1980, first field day was held in 1981.”

Ut Ag Research Director at Milan, Blake Brown remembers the first Milan No Till Day as an intern.

And he recalls the difference that no-till farming has made over the years.

“40 years ago, West Tennessee was washing away. I can remember as a kid ditches in the fields knee deep in the fall and in the spring. Fortunately we don’t see those anymore and that’s largely due to the adoption of no till by our farmers,” said Brown.

In just two days, the UT Ag Center in Milan will be expecting thousands of people from all over the world who come to learn the no till technique from the city it originated in.

“Well, the no till technique was developed here in Milan back in the 60s and 70s so a lot of the early work was done here and so we just kind of became recognized as the leader in no till work,” added Brown.

An example of no till is when, instead of plowing over, plants are planted on top of the residue from last year.

The day will include 27 tents, 16 research tours, over 70 exhibitors.

“The staff here at the Ag research and education center in Milan starts preparing for this field day months and months in advance," said Ginger Rowsey, Communications Specialist with UT Ag Research.

The months of preparation, they say, is all worth it.

“Makes me a little proud to have been a part of something that has basically changed the way we farm here in the state and across the country,” said Brown.