There were five virtual field days announced during the week of July 20. For more information about recently announced field days, visit here. 

Recently Announced

July 29 | Multiple On-Farm Improvements Provided by Prairie Strips

Tim Youngquist, Farmer Liaison for the Science-Based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips (STRIPS) team at Iowa State University, will describe ways that prairie strips can lead to on-farm improvements. “Prairie is an exciting, useful, beautiful tool that can help control erosion, filter water, and create habitat for a wide variety of native species,” said Youngquist. “It can be planted by any farmer or anyone who owns even a small amount of land.”

Register for this webinar, here.

August 4 | Restoring Rare Habitats for Wildlife and Water Quality – Beaver Habitat

Iowa once boasted an incredibly diverse landscape. In this three-part series, landowners Jeff and Nancy Pudenz will share their vision for their land and discuss the work they are doing on their property to restore rare and declining habitats, including fens, oxbows, beaver habitat, oak savanna and more. Also hear about Jeff’s ongoing partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and learn about financial and technical assistance opportunities from USFWS biologist Darrick Weissenfluh.

Register for this virtual field day, here.

August 10 | Integrating Cover Crops on a Vegetable and Poultry Farm – Interseeded & Quick-Turnaround Covers

In this three-part series, join Rob Faux to learn about the different ways he integrates cover crops throughout his vegetable and poultry farm. From spring-seeded and fall-seeded cover crops to interseeded, quick-turnaround covers in the summer and fallow beds for running poultry, Rob has tried almost everything and will show a good mix (and single-species stand!) during these virtual field days.

Register for this virtual field day, here.

August 13 | Wheat: A Gateway Crop to Soil Health, Resilience and More

Jim and Kathy Moseley explain how adding wheat (or other small grains) into crop rotations opens the door to possibility. Not only do these crops invite you to plant a diverse cover crop and graze it, adding a small-grain crop can lay the foundation for a transition to organic. It’s time to reframe this versatile crop and rediscover its profit potential. In this virtual event, we’ll explore the farm management and economic implications of wheat and all its opportunities.

Register for this virtual field day, here.

August 29 | Using Conservation to Improve Farm Profitability – Edge-of-Field Conservation

Nathan and Sarah Anderson farm using in-field conservation practices that reduce soil loss, increase soil health, reduce inputs and provide forage for livestock. They also target edge-of-field conservation on marginal lands to provide water quality and wildlife benefits while improving return on investment on farmed acres. 

Register for this virtual field day, here.

 

Upcoming

July 27 | Rotational Pasture Series: Goat Paddock Moves

Starting a pasture rotational system can be challenging. In this three-part series, you will meet three farmers who have spent their beginning farming years creating processes to make a regenerative pasture system work for their farms.

Register for this virtual field day, here.

July 28 | Restoring Rare Habitats and Water Quality

Iowa once boasted an incredibly diverse landscape. In this three-part series, landowners Jeff and Nancy Pudenz will share their vision for their land and discuss the work they are doing on their property to restore rare and declining habitats, including fens, oxbows, beaver habitat, oak savanna and more. Also hear about Jeff’s ongoing partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and learn about financial and technical assistance opportunities from USFWS biologist Darrick Weissenfluh.

Register for this virtual field day, here.

July 31 | Prairie Strips and Conservation on Rented Ground

In part 2 of this virtual event, we’ll discuss prairie strips generally, as well as how landowners like Eric and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation are working with farmland tenants to design, install and manage prairie strips for water quality and wildlife. Ryan Schmidt, with INHF, will discuss how prairie strips are being used at the 160-acre Wallace & Bowers Nature Area, located along the northeast shore of Big Spirit Lake, which is owned and managed by INHF.

Register for this virtual field day, here.