There were six field days announced during the week of May 24. For details about these and twelve more field days, visit here.

Recently Announced 

June 6 | Saturated Buffer Installation Field Day

The Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance and partners are hosting a field day where attendees will see a saturated buffer installation in person and learn about edge-of-field practices, such as bioreactors. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the Iowa Learning Farms “On The Edge” trailer. You won’t want to miss this exciting and educational event! This field day is free and includes a complimentary meal. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to LICA by phone at 563-202-0682 or email director@ialica.com.

June 11 | Bioreactor Installations Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA), Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA), Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa Corn, will host a bioreactor installation field day on Tuesday, June 11 from 5:30-7:30pm at Olie Leimer’s farm, rural Albert City. The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. The field day is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. To RSVP please contact Lee Gravel at 712-732-3096 or lee.gravel@iowaagriculture.gov.

June 13 | Native Perennial Planting Workshop

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a native perennial plantings workshop on Thursday, June 13 from 5:30-7:30pm at Smeltzer Farm, rural Otho. Native perennial plantings are growing in popularity in Iowa among farmers and landowners alike due to their many benefits for wildlife and pollinators, as well as improving soil and water quality. There are many opportunities to maintain, restore and seed new native plantings on the farm. These include areas of marginal land where row crop returns are low, along field edges, and around the homestead. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about native perennial plantings, ask questions, and share their experiences. The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. To RSVP please contact Liz Juchems 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.  

June 19 | Webinar: Drainage Water Recycling: An Emerging Conservation Drainage Practice

Hear from speaker Chris Hay, Senior Environmental Scientist at the Iowa Soybean Association about drainage water recycling. Connect to the webinar here.

June 20 | Iowa State University Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm Spring Field Day 

Farmers and farm businesses in southeastern Iowa can learn about the latest crop production research and trends during the Iowa State University Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm spring field day June 20. Register by June 13 for the morning CCA session and the noon lunch, at https://isuext.typeform.com/to/yivcsb , or by calling the ISU Extension and Outreach Washington County office at 319-653-4811.

September 17 | Pollinator Habitat at Scattergood Friends School Farm  

Come learn from Scattergood staff and students, as well as Xerces Society biologist Sarah Foltz Jordan, about the why, when, where and how of pollinator habitat design and installation. Mark and Sarah will address farmer concerns about weed control using organic methods. They will also discuss plugs versus seeds and habitat management. Sarah Nizzi, the Natural Resources Conservation Service partner biologist for Xerces Society, will join to offer insights about cost-share opportunities available through farm bill programs. Dinner will be served following the field day in the Scattergood Friends School cafeteria. Please RSVPhere.

Upcoming 

May 28 | Webinar: Digging into Cover Crops

Tune into this webinar on cover crops by registering here. 

June 4 | Cover Crop Field Day 

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. Please RSVP here by May 31.

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.