Iowa Learning Farms, along with Science-Based-Trials-of-Rowcrops-Integrated-with-Prairie-Strips (STRIPS), Des Moines Water Works, and Landus will host a prairie strips and cover crops field day on Thursday, August, 4th from 11:00am-1:30 p.m. at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park in Des Moines.  The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.

The field day will include welcome and remarks from Ted Corrigan, CEO/General Manager of Des Moines Water Works (DMWW).  DMWW protects public health by delivering safe, affordable drinking  water to  600,000 customers in central Iowa.   In order to raise awareness about protecting rivers and streams by using conservation practices upstream, DMWW has partnered with Landus to install cover crop test plots in Water Works Park.   Matt Carstens, CEO/President of Landus will talk about the partnership and the importance of conservation practices.

The field day agenda will continue with Dr. Matt Helmers, Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, Iowa State University.  He will share results from over 15 years of research on prairie strips as well as the progress on the nutrient reduction strategy in the State of Iowa.  Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms events coordinator, will share a demonstration of the conservation station trailer.  Jessica Barnett, Supervisor of Property Management, Des Moines Water Works will showcase ways to use prairie to reduce goose pressure along shorelines.  Tim Youngquist, STRIPS farmer liaison, will discuss practical recommendations for successfully adding prairie strips to corn and soybean fields.

The field day will be held at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park, 2251 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines.  The field day is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Please RSVP to Tim Youngquist at 712-269-0592 or timyoung@iastate.edu.

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, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and GROWMARK, Inc.

Contact

Tim Youngquist                                                                   Liz Ripley

STRIPS Farmer Liaison                                                      ILF Conservation and Cover Crops Outreach Specialist

timyoung@iastate.edu                                                   ejuchems@iastate.edu

712-269-0592                                                                       515-294-5429