There were nine field days announced during the week of May 10. For details about these and two more field days, visit here.

Recently Announced 

June 6 | Impact of Cover Crops on Water Quality and Soil Health

Come learn how cover crops can positively impact water quality from a diverse mix of perspectives. You’ll hear from a farmer, a soil health expert and an ag retailer’s perspective, and you’ll get to view a rainfall simulator demonstration. The farmer, Brian, will share his playbook for managing soybeans following a cereal rye cover crop, as well as some of the on-farm research projects he’s involved in. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

June 18 | On-Farm Habitat Management for Wildlife and Water Quality

Join Bob Zimmerman and biologists from Pheasants Forever as they discuss habitat restoration and management activities at the South Place farm. Topics will include: prairie restoration; habitat management using prescribed fire and other techniques; landowner-tenant relations and conservation; and the dual benefits of habitat for wildlife and water quality. Information on cost-share programs for conservation will also be available. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

June 20 | Diversified Crop Rotations and Cover Crops

This event will showcase a diversified farm with crop rotations, cover crops and livestock. Tim will speak about his crop rotation consisting of corn, soybeans and rye or wheat. Learn how this rotation presents opportunities for diverse cover crops (namely, legumes) and how Tim incorporates a small cattle herd and hog manure. We’ll also view a couple of on-farm research trials investigating cereal rye cover crops for improving weed control in soybeans. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

June 26 | 30 Years of Small Grains and No-Till on an Ohio Farm

Join Practical Farmers in beautiful Seneca County, Ohio, to hear from David Cramer, who has been no-tilling small grains on his family farm for over 30 years. We will cover agronomic advice and variety selection, and learn about incorporating cover crops into a small-grains operation. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

July 2 | Cover Crops With Purpose: Weed Suppression, Soil Health and Unexpected Benefits   

Learn about the benefits and challenges of diversifying your farm with cover crops, small grains and extended rotations. Sam and Danielle will share their experience using cover crops as part of their weed control system. They will also discuss growing small grains, soil health and navigating crop insurance and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. Guests will have a chance to see cereal rye and oats just before harvest, and evaluate the weed-suppressing benefits of cover crops before soybeans. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

July 10 | Farmland Owner Legacy Award + On-Farm Conservation Event 

Lee Tesdell is Practical Farmers’ 2019 Farmland Owner Legacy Award recipient. This award is granted annually to landowners who help the next generation get started, advance land stewardship and promote long-term sustainability of farm businesses, environmental quality and rural communities. Lee and guest speakers will discuss conservation and solar energy generation, and Lee will receive the Farmland Owner Legacy Award at this field day. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

July 17 | Soil Health and Water Quality Workshop 

Farmers, landowners and city dwellers can all learn something about how to incorporate conservation practices onto their land from a panel of experts. Learn about building soil health practices into farm leases, edge-of-field practices, prairie strips and how townspeople can play a role in conservation efforts. The event will also feature a hands-on soil health discussion. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to Denise Freeseman, Grundy County SWCD, at denise.freeseman@ia.nacdnet.net or (319) 824-3634, ext 3, by Wednesday, July 10. Learn more about the event here.

August 6 | Soil Health Smorgasbord for Farmers + Family Learning Event

This hands-on field day will occur in two phases. From 2-5 p.m., farmers and producers will learn about soil health principles, including strip-tillage, grazing cover crops and interseeding in 60-inch rows. The community is invited to join in for a meal at 5 p.m. Afterwards, children and parents can visit various stations on the farm to learn about steps local farmers are taking to protect water quality and soil health. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

August 22 | Grazing Covers Crops and Building Community 101

Learn how Greg Rebman and Luke Jones worked together to combine knowledge and skill sets, overcome challenges and develop a profitable contract grazing partnership. We will see a field of wheat underseeded with clover that is a part of PFI’s small-grains cost-share program. Greg will also talk about the importance of supporting young farmers and cultivating healthy landowner-tenant relationships. Learn more and RSVP for the event here.

Upcoming 

May 15 | Webinar: Cover Crop Impact on Crop Yield and Water Quality: Single Species vs Mixtures

Join speaker Emily Waring, Graduate Research Assistant of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at ISU for a discussion on cover crop impact. Connect to the webinar here.