A 150-year-old farm just outside of Austin will host a free, all-ages class Monday night on cover crops — the future of agriculture.

The Mower Soil & Water Conservation District is offering the class at the Tom Cotter farm through Austin Public Schools’ Community Education. The class will run from 6 to 7 p.m. at the farm, located outside of southwest Austin at 50203 205th St.

On Monday, Cotter will show his farm, which includes beef cattle, and explain how he uses cover crops to feed his cattle in early spring and fall to mid-winter as well as to improve the health of the soil on his farm fields. Cover crops on his land also reduce the amount of soil eroding into local waterways.

Cotter is one of two Mower County farmers who are Cover Crop Champions under a grant awarded this year to Mower SWCD by the National Wildlife Federation. Monday’s class is free but those interested still should register with Austin Community Education by calling its office at 507-460-1700 or registering online at austin.revtrak.net (Click on “Community Education” and then “Adult Enrichment).

Participants should dress for the weather and walking around a farm.

Directions are available on the Austin Community Education website or in its main office at the Community Learning Center at 912 First Ave. N.E.