AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar about how to leave a conservation legacy by writing conservation into farm leases and how to incorporate cover crops on acres with manure application on Wednesday, June 20 at 12:00 p.m.
Sara Berges, project coordinator with the Allamakee Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), has worked for the Allamakee SWCD for eight years coordinating different watershed and county-wide projects. Berges is currently funded through a grant with the Leopold Center which allows her to work with landowners to add conservation in farm leases by updating conservation plans. As an extension of this work, she helps producers write Legacy Reports that document their conservation efforts and goals for their land.
“Conservation is often left out of lease discussions, but it is vital for ensuring that the land is able to be farmed for years to come,” Berges commented. “I want people to look outside the conservation box, start with a conversation, and brainstorm about what can work and why.” Another part of the project involves helping producers figure out how to include cover crops on acres that have manure application.
“Cover crops are the biggest topic in conservation practices right now but are often not planted on acres with manure application due to timing issues,” Berges said. “This project’s focus is working with landowners and producers to figure out how to make these different things work for their operations.”
The Iowa Learning Farms webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of the month. To watch, go to https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ shortly before 12:00 p.m. on June 20 and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for watching at any time at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
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, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319).
— Iowa Learning Farms
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