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


Considering Cover Crops? Species, Mixes and Support To Meet Your Farm's Needs

Tuesday, July 28 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Irwin, IA

Join the Fara family for a field day exploring cover crop species, mixes and cost-share opportunities to help meet your farm's goals. Attendees will tour cover crop demonstration plots, learn about custom seeding with a no-till drill, discuss cover crop mixes for forage and hear how Eric Fara has expanded his custom cover crop business across more than 1,600 acres. A light meal will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Relay Intercropping Field Day

Tuesday, July 28 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Oskaloosa, IA

Join Lucas and Gene DeBruin for an Iowa Learning Farms field day exploring relay intercropping and conservation practices. Learn how growing three crops in two years can improve soil health, reduce erosion, suppress weeds, reduce nutrient loss, increase organic matter and create additional farm revenue through cover crop seed production. The event will also feature woodland management tips from ISU Extension Forestry Specialist Billy Beck, the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station On The Edge trailer and, weather permitting, a tour of a neighboring relay intercropping field. A complimentary meal will be provided.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Grazing for a Goal

Wednesday, July 29 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Larchwood, IA

Join Karl Palmberg at Sunlight and Rain Farm to learn how adaptive grazing and soil health practices are helping build a resilient livestock operation. Attendees will explore diverse multispecies forage mixes, intensive grazing strategies, biochar and compost soil amendments and meat nutrition testing results. A meal will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Conservation On Tap

Thursday, July 30 | 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Ames, IA

Join Iowa Learning Farms for an informal evening of conversation about conservation, water quality and agriculture at the Iowa State University Brew Lab. Farmers, landowners and urban residents are invited to connect, ask questions and share ideas with conservation experts while learning about the Brew Lab and the importance of water quality in the brewing process. Complimentary food will be provided, and attendees 21 and older who RSVP will be able to sample beverages from the ISU Brew Lab. Networking will follow the discussion.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Measuring and Interpreting Soil Health Benefits

Thursday, July 30 | 3:00–5:30 p.m.

Prairie City, IA

Join Will and Cassie Cannon for a field day focused on measuring and interpreting soil health to make better on-farm management decisions. Learn how soil health testing, fertilizer efficiency analysis and long-term conservation practices can improve nutrient management and crop performance. Attendees will also see cover crop and strip-till equipment, compost application methods and side-by-side comparisons of traditional and soil health-focused sampling techniques. A meal will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Cleaning Water With Edge-of-Field Practices for Watersheds and Wildlife

Tuesday, Aug. 4 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Cedar Rapids, IA

Join Jim and Casey O'Connell at O'Connell Farms to learn how edge-of-field conservation practices are improving water quality and wildlife habitat. Attendees will explore bioreactors, saturated buffers and wetlands that help reduce nitrate runoff, while learning how partnerships with local organizations and Iowa State University support water quality and biodiversity monitoring. Light refreshments will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

 

Grazing CRP for Beginning Farmers

Tuesday, Aug. 4 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.

Harper, IA

Join Eric and Madison Adam to learn how grazing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land can improve soil health while creating value for beginning farmers. Attendees will explore rotational goat grazing, strategies for increasing forage diversity and opportunities for penalty-free grazing on CRP acres. A meal will be provided following the field day.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.