On Thursday, Feb. 26, a free workshop on soils, poultry manure and biosolids will be held at the University of Arkansas Lon Mann Cotton Research Station in Marianna. Pre-registration is encouraged.

The goal of the workshop is to familiarize the participants with how soil properties influence soil productivity and current research on using poultry manure and biosolids in Arkansas.

The workshop, being led by Morteza Mozaffari, University of Arkansas assistant professor of soil fertility and the director of the Marianna Soil Testing and Research Laboratory, will begin at 10 a.m. and adjourn at 3 p.m. The agenda includes presentations on:

• How soil properties influence soil productivity.

• All you wanted to know about field research, poultry manure and biosolids.

• A review of 2008 poultry manure and biosolids research on corn, cotton and wheat.

• A tour of wheat research plots.

Driving directions: From I-40, take Exit 239 and head south on the bypass to Highway 1. Turn right onto Highway 1. Stay on Highway 1 traveling through Marianna and continue three miles south of Marianna to the research station located on the east side (left) of Highway 1.

For more information, or to pre-register, call Linda Smith at (870) 295-2851.