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


Upcoming Field Days 


Monarch and Pollinator Workshop 

Wednesday, June 4 | 12:00pm-2:00pm

Clarinda, Iowa

The workshop will be hosted by Katherine Kral-O'Brien, Iowa State University Assistant Professor in Natural Resource Ecology and Management and co-leader of the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, and Mykayla Hagaman, Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium program specialist. This workshop will provide an opportunity to learn more about monarchs and integrating pollinator habitat into Iowa’s landscape.

For more information, or to RSVP, click here.


Exploring Alternative Practices: Successes and Challenges in Pursuit of Sustainability

Tuesday, June 10 | 10:30am-12:30pm

Arion, Iowa

Join host Eric Mahaney at his farm near Arion for an engaging field day, Exploring Alternative Practices: Successes and Challenges in Pursuit of Sustainability. Over the past decade, Eric has reimagined his western Iowa operation with a focus on improving water quality, weed control, and farm efficiency through innovative organic practices. Attendees will explore techniques such as planting green into alfalfa, harvesting cereal rye for cover crop seed, and reducing field passes with a custom-built rotary hoe and air seeder system. Eric will also share insights from launching his value-added pet food business, Graz’n, and cover crop service company, BioCovered. This event offers a hands-on look at how one farmer is pursuing long-term sustainability and profitability.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.


Wetland and Prairie Field Day

Thursday, June 12 | 10:30am-12:30pm

Haverhill, Iowa

This field day will explore the wetland system developed on the property and aims to assist farmers and landowners with establishing and maintaining perennial vegetation. The field day will begin with landowner Tony Brink highlighting the work he has done since purchasing the property in 1990 to increase wildlife habitat through the creation of wetlands and prairie. Kay Stefanik, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Assistant Director, will discuss the benefits of wetlands on the landscape and Kevin Andersen, Iowa DNR State Private Lands Biologist, will share best management practices for establishing and maintaining prairie. Doug Roupp, Marshall NRCS District Conservationist, will share updates on cost share programs for implementing wetlands and prairie on the land. Emily Herring, Director of Marshall County Conservation Board, will be available after lunch for prairie plant identification.

For more information, or to RSVP, click here.


From Field Crops to Organic Cherries: Farming for Soil Health and Diversity

Saturday, June 14 | 1:00pm-3:00pm

Keota, Iowa

Discover how one Iowa farm is blending tradition and innovation to prioritize soil health and biodiversity. Visitors will tour fields where conventional soybeans grow in a roller-crimped rye system – an approach that minimizes soil disturbance while improving resilience. Just steps away, a certified organic tart cherry orchard showcases the farm’s use of Johnson-Su compost extract, a microbial-rich input used to build soil life naturally. The field day will also feature hands-on demonstrations of tools used for organic weed control and conversations about transitioning to organic practices.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.