AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a cover crop and no-till workshop on Thursday, March 28th from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Titan Machinery near Williams. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.
The fall of 2018 was a challenge for most farmer as it started raining in early September as the corn and soybeans were maturing and continued to stay wet through harvest. With a priority on getting the crop in the field, there was limited time to complete fall tillage. However, this presents an opportunity to adapt to conservation tillage this spring and to protect the soil from erosion and improve weed control by adding a cover crop this fall.
The workshop agenda will include Brent Larson, Webster County farmer and member of the Sunderman Farm Management team, sharing his experiences with cover crops, tips for successfully adding them to your operation and working with landlords and tenants to implement conservation practices. J. Arbuckle, associate professor of Sociology, will share results from the recent landowner survey regarding conservation and water quality attitudes. Angie Rieck-Hinz, Iowa State Extension Agronomist, will provide timely advice for preparing your planter and other considerations for no-tilling corn and soybeans this spring. Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms conservation outreach specialist, will share results from cover crop projects examining species selection, water quality implications, and soil health indicators such as earthworms. Doug Gass, South Skunk River Watershed Coordinator, will share updates and information about the project.
The field day will be held at the Titan Machinery, 3093 220th St, Williams, IA 50271. Attendees should plan to use the west entrance door. 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 orilf@iastate.edu.
Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 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 and Water Rocks!
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