Below is a listing of upcoming conservation field days around the state. For a complete listing of future conservation field days, click here. 


Upcoming Field Days


A Practical Farm Family’s Journey: Sustaining a Legacy of Stewardship

Saturday, August 22 | 2:00–5:00 p.m.

Harlan, IA

Join the Rosmann family for a field day at their 700-acre certified organic farm near Harlan. The family will share how they use practices like contour farming, ridge-till, composting and crop rotation to care for their land while raising crops and livestock. Attendees will tour the farm, hear about continuing these practices across generations and learn about marketing organic beef and pork. A meal will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Cover Crop Field Day

Wednesday, August 26 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Spirit Lake, IA

Join Iowa Learning Farms and the Northwest Iowa Ag Stewardship Alliance at Boettcher Family Farms for a field day focused on cover crops and conservation practices. Participants will learn best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops, including nutrient management, no-till and strip-till. The event will also explore how these practices can reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, improve water infiltration and build soil organic matter. Attendees will hear from local farmers and conservation experts and see Iowa Learning Farms’ Conservation Station rainfall simulator in action. A complimentary meal will be provided.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Prairie Establishment and Management Field Day

Thursday, August 27 | 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Gilbert, IA

Join Iowa Learning Farms for a field day focused on establishing and managing prairie on agricultural land. Participants will learn how prairie vegetation can reduce soil erosion, build soil health, provide pollinator and wildlife habitat and add value to the landscape. Experts and local farmers will share research and practical recommendations for incorporating and maintaining prairie, including the use of controlled burns and available conservation support. Weather permitting, the event will conclude with a prairie tour followed by a complimentary meal.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Boosting a Farm’s Resiliency Through Cover Crops and Crop Rotations

Thursday, August 27 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Marengo, IA

Join farmer Ross McCaw for a field day focused on how he uses cover crops and crop rotations on his farm. Attendees will learn how Ross is working to reduce nitrogen use, raise rye for seed and use cover crops for cattle grazing. The field day will include a look at a diverse cover crop mix following rye harvest and a field being prepared for corn the following year.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Using Data for Informed Decision-Making in Northwest Iowa

Monday, August 31 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

Sioux Rapids, IA

Join Practical Farmers of Iowa for a field day exploring how farmer Will Jones uses data to guide management decisions across nearly 3,000 acres of row crops. Participants will learn about soil and tissue sampling, corn-on-corn rotations, winter camelina cover crops and strip-till practices. The field day will include visits to fields where these practices are being used, a look at strip-till equipment and a discussion of how sampling data and biological products have influenced Will’s decisions. A meal will follow the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Establishing Native Historical Prairie Through Targeted Seed Selection

Tuesday, September 1 | 9–11 a.m.

Coon Rapids, IA

Join Practical Farmers of Iowa for a field day at Diversity Farms focused on restoring resilient native prairie through targeted seed selection. Farmer and prairie restoration specialist Jon Judson will share how he uses high-quality genetics from remnant prairie to establish diverse prairie landscapes. Participants will learn about local soil types, prairie biodiversity and native wildlife, as well as opportunities to preserve prairie through permanent easements and return former cropland to its historic habitat. Attendees should wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

From Field to Feed

Wednesday, September 2 | 4:30–7 p.m.

Ames, IA

Join the Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa State University for an event exploring how research and market development are creating new opportunities for soybean farmers. Participants will tour the ISU Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex, learn how high oleic soybeans are expanding demand in dairy rations and hear how soybean checkoff investments are supporting research and strengthening the long-term value of Iowa soybeans. Dinner will be provided, followed by research updates and presentations on building demand for Iowa soybeans..

For more information and to RSVP, click here.