AMES, Iowa — There are a variety of opportunities to learn about pollinators and the ongoing work to improve pollinator habitat during National Pollinator Week, June 17-23.
Pheasants Forever is partnering with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ISU Extension and Outreach Buchanan County office in northeast Iowa, to offer field days and other educational events.
Participants will have the chance to walk through fields of native wildflowers and grasses, hear from experts about best management practices, and learn about the importance of pollinators, from bees to monarchs.
“Landowners learning about habitat projects are often surprised by the amount of assistance available to them,” said Allie Rath, farm bill wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever. “No matter which county you reside in, there is a resource professional who can provide technical assistance with your specific project and often there are also conservation programs to provide financial assistance.”
In addition to ISU Extension and Outreach, speakers will include experts from Pheasants Forever, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Tallgrass Prairie Center. Field day partners also include the United States Department of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
Seth Appelgate, research agronomist at Iowa State, will speak at the field day June 17, in Allamakee County. Roxanne Fuller, executive director of ISU Extension and Outreach in Buchanan County, and Ashley Sherrets, agriculture and horticulture program coordinator for ISU Extension and Outreach Buchanan County, will speak at the Buchanan County Field Day June 20.
There is no pre-registration for the field days. Participants should dress for the weather, and for walking in tall vegetation. Participants will provide their own vehicle for transportation, capable of being driven on gravel.
- June 17, Allamakee County Field Day, 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at 201 W. Main St., Waukon. Event contact: Allie Rath, arath@pheasantsforever.org, or 319-330-6015.
- June 18, Clayton County Field Day, 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at Central State Bank: 102 N. Main St. Elkader. Event contact: Allie Rath, arath@pheasantsforever.org, or 319-330-6015.
- June 19, Fayette County Field Day, 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the USDA Service Center conference room: 120 N. Industrial Pkwy. West Union. Event contact: Allie Rath, arath@pheasantsforever.org, or 319-330-6015.
- June 19, Butler County Field Day, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the field tour site: 27497 180th St., Clarksville. Event contact: Dan Borchardt, dborchardt@pheasantsforever.org, or 641-430-3354.
- June 20, Buchanan County Field Day, 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at Heartland Acres Agribition Center (in the theater room): 2600 Swan Lake Blvd. Independence. Event contact: Ashley Sherrets, sherrets@iastate.edu or 319-334-6641.
- June 20, Floyd County Field Day, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the field tour site: 1920 Dogwood Ave., Rockford. Event contact: Dan Borchardt, dborchardt@pheasantsforever.org, or 641-430-3354
- June 20, Chickasaw County Field Day, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Meet at the field tour site: 2136 Asherton Ave., Ionia. Event contact: Dan Borchardt, dborchardt@pheasantsforever.org, or 641-430-3354
- June 21, Mitchell County Field Day, 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the field tour site: 2251 Mitchell Line St., Orchard. Event contact: Dan Borchardt, dborchardt@pheasantsforever.org, or 641-430-3354
- June 22, Pollinator Fest at Reiman Gardens, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1407 University Blvd., Ames. Admission is free of charge, all ages welcome for hands-on activities.
For more information contact Dana Schweitzer, program coordinator with ISU Extension and Outreach, at 515-294-9227, or schweitz@iastate.edu.
Allie Rath, Iowa Pheasants Forever farm bill wildlife biologist for Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton and Fayette counties, can be reached at 319-330-3015.
Dan Borchardt, Iowa Pheasants Forever farm bill wildlife biologist for Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw, Butler, and Bremer counties can be reached at 641-430-3354.
Additional Contact:
Ashley Sherrets, Ag/Horticulture Program Coordinator, ISU Extension and Outreach Buchanan County, 319-334-6641, sherrets@iastate.edu
— Dana Schweitzer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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