There were three field days announced during the week of September 6. For details about these and six more field days, visit here.

Recently Announced 

September 24 | Soil Health Workshop

The Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District and Badger Creek Lake Watershed Project are hosting a soil health workshop on September 24 from 10 am to 2:30 pm in the Jackson Building at the Madison County Fairgrounds.  Join us for a workshop highlighting the value of soil health for retaining topsoil, improving infiltration, and reducing inputs. Guest speakers include Doug Peterson, NRCS Regional Soil Health Specialist, and a panel of local farmers.  Lunch will be provided by Iowa Corn.  Click here for more information. Contact Anna Golightly at anna.golightly@ia.nacdnet.net or 515-462-2961 with any questions.

September 24 | Soil Session Webinar 

The Soil Health Partnership Soil Session webinar series provides monthly, in-depth and visual updates on our various programs and research findings. Soil Sessions cover a range of topics such as our evolving data insights, how SHP manages and integrates data, our connection to and work with our partners, as well as providing technical information on topics like cover crops, scouting and grazing.  The September session will provide an update on Field to Market.  Click here for more information.

September 25 | Cover Crops and Grazing Field Day

The Taylor County Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting a field day focusing on grazing including pasture, summer cover crops, fall cover crops, and incorporating livestock into crop rotations. Speakers include the Wellers and Erica Lundy, ISU Beef Specialist.  Supper will be provided by Iowa Corn. Contact Erin Ogle at 712-523-2118 with any questions.

Upcoming  

September 7 |  Prairie and Wetlands in Urban Areas Field Day

This Session will take place at Moore Memorial Park in the City of Ames in the Big Bluestem Shelter and is open to the general public.  Informational booths from local environmental groups and businesses will have demonstrations and information for guests throughout the day.  Participants will be welcomed to the program by Prairie Rivers of Iowa staff and introduced to our guest speakers.  Guest speakers will give a brief introduction about the native plants and bumblebees that guests will be able to see in the park. Tours of the local prairie and wetlands will be given twice in 30 minute sessions.  These tours will teach guests about plants that are blooming in the early fall season as well as the bumblebees that feed off them.  Guests will learn about the benefits of a prairie in the middle of an urban area including runoff and erosion control, nutrient reduction, and vital habitat for pollinators and wildlife.  Guests will be encouraged to find and photograph bumblebees during the habitat tour to try and locate the endangered Rusty-Patched Bumblebee.  Speakers will be on hand throughout these tours to answer any questions participants might have about specific plants or pollinators that they see, as well as provide assistance to landowners looking to establish pollinator habitat in on their own land.

September 10 |   Pasture Restoration and Monarch Habitat Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a pasture restoration and monarch habitat field day on Tuesday, September 10th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nathan Anderson’s farm near Cherokee. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. For mobility accommodations to the pasture, please contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by Thursday, September 5th.

September 11 | Cover Crop and Wetland Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Corn, will host a cover crop and wetland field day near Gilmore City on Wednesday, September 11. The 5:30-7:30 p.m. event held at the ISU Drainage Research and Demonstration Project, owned by the Pocahontas Soil and Water Conservation District. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. Reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.