AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a field day Wednesday, June 1 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Brent Johnson’s Farm near Manson. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

A project led by Mark Licht, extension cropping systems specialist and assistant professor, Iowa State University, and funded by North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, is working with Iowa farmers to convert marginal land areas prone to flooding to perennial vegetation to evaluate the profitability and explore the potential benefits to water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat and overall aesthetics.

Following a complimentary meal, the field day will begin with a demonstration of the Conservation Station rainfall simulator. Licht and farmer partner and host, Brent Johnson will discuss the process of redefining the field edge from site selection to seeding and management, as well as highlight the research findings to date across the demonstration sites. Weather permitting, there will be a short tour of the perennial vegetation site following the program.

The field day will be held at the Johnson Farm, 1811 Ralston Ave, Manson. From Manson, head west on IA-7 for 2 miles. Turn right to head north on Ralston Ave for 0.9 miles. The farm is located on the west side of the road and field day signs will mark the driveway to enter.

The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.  Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

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.

About Iowa Learning Farms

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, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319) and GROWMARK, Inc.

Related Links: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/events