AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa Corn and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a bioreactor field day on Wednesday, July 31st from 5:30-7:30pm at Bob Floss’ farm, rural Baxter. The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.
Edge of field practices like bioreactors, wetlands and saturated buffers are key to reducing nitrate loss from agricultural land in Iowa. Through a natural biological process microorganisms living in the systems use the incoming nitrate for respiration and reduce the nitrate levels from incoming tile drainage. Together with in-field practices like cover crops and no-tillage, these practices will help reach the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals.
Field day attendees will have the opportunity to view and learn about the two new bioreactors on installed on the Floss farm in the spring of 2018. Following the meal, the agenda will feature Carrie Dodds, District 5 Field Manager with Iowa Corn and a demonstration by the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station On The Edge trailer, highlighting what is happening beneath the surface in bioreactors and saturated buffers. Weather permitting, the program will continue at the bioreactor site with Bob Floss and Chris Herbold discussing the design, installation and performance of the bioreactors.
The field day will be held at Bob Floss’ farm 7378 N 66th Ave W, Baxter. From Baxter, head west on Hwy F17W for one mile. Turn south on Hwy S-52 for about 3 miles and turn left to head east on N 66th Avenue West. The site will be on the north side of the road and will be marked with a field day sign. The field day is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. To RSVP please contact Carrie Dodds at 515-326-5914 or cdodds@iowacorn.gov.
To learn more about the bioreactors check out a recent Wallaces Famer article, Bioreactor helps nab nitrates from field.
For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319) and GROWMARK, Inc.
— Iowa Learning Farms
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