AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms, along with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and West Branch of the Floyd River Watershed Project, will host a cover crop workshop on Wednesday, December 11 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the Dordt University Agriculture Stewardship Center. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.
Cover crops continue to grow in popularity in Iowa due to their many benefits including reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased soil organic matter. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from local farmers about the benefits of cover crops, choosing seed varieties, innovative application methods, and best management practices for termination and row crop planting into increased residue.
The field day will begin with Sioux County farmers Micah and Josh Rensink sharing their experiences with different seeding methods and how to best manage the cover crops. A discussion on terminating cover crops and variety selection will be led by Joel DeJong, Iowa State Extension Field Agronomist for Northwest Iowa. Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist, will highlight results from cover crop projects examining, long-term yield impacts, water quality implications and soil health indicators such as earthworms. Mike Schouten, Agriculture Stewardship Center Steward, will share updates from cover crop trials conducted by students at Dordt University.
The field day will be held at the Dordt University Agriculture Stewardship Center, 3648 US 75 Ave, Sioux Center. The event is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Please RSVP to Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.
— Iowa Learning Farms
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