Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: A Long-term View of Cover Crop Benefits
2023-05-31 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place May 31 at noon CDT will feature Rabin Bhattarai, associate professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Bhattarai discovers innovative ways to clean polluted waters. His research group develops sustainable engineering solutions to improve water quality and crop production through experimental studies and computer simulation models which can predict water quality and crop production at various scales.

In the webinar, “Can Cover Crops Still Provide Targeted Nutrient Loss Benefits in the Future?,” Bhattarai will provide an overview of impacts on water quality attributed to the extensive use of subsurface drainage in agricultural fields in the Midwestern U.S. which have contributed to local concerns as well as to the formation of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. He will highlight the effectiveness of winter cover crops as an eco-efficient solution for reducing nitrate loss via sub-surface drainage channels in the maize-soybean system. Bhattarai will also discuss cost sharing incentives which have boosted practice adoption. In addition, he will offer insights into the long-term impacts of cover crops and discuss research efforts to better understand how climate change and other factors may affect efficacy.
“Winter cover crop adoption continues to rise, and their use has been identified as one of the most efficient practices not only for nutrient loss reduction but also for soil health improvement,” said Bhattarai. “Participants in this webinar should gain a better understanding of the long-term impacts of winter cover crops on soil, water-N and cash crop growth in the maize-soybean system, and how climate change will impact the nutrient loss and soil health benefits from cover crops.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Relay Intercropping Field Day
2023-06-01 10:30 - 12:30
Iowa Learning Farms will host a relay intercropping field day on Thursday, June 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Jason Russell’s Farm near Monticello. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
The field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing a relay intercropping system designed to improve soil health and reduce nutrient losses while increasing productivity and profitability. The relay intercropping system begins following corn with the seeding of winter wheat or rye. The soybean crop is planted into the winter wheat/rye the next spring and the winter wheat/rye is harvested for grain in June. Following soybean, oats are planted as a cover crop ahead of corn.

The event will feature a field visit with farmer host, Jason Russell, to take a closer look at his relay intercropping system and discuss best management practices for the system. Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will discuss how relay intercropping systems can be integrated into existing rotations and highlight how to successfully manage the system based on current research. Ross Evelsizer, Northeast Iowa RC&D natural resource projects director, will share results from local relay intercropping cereal rye and soybeans trials. Erin Erickson, Maquoketa River Watershed Management Authority watershed coordinator, will share opportunities to get involved and staff from Center for Rural Affairs will provide resources and updates related to crop insurance and relay intercropping.
The field day will be held at the Russell Farm, 234 Prairie Main Rd, Monticello, 52310. From Monticello, head west on Co Rd E16/Prairie Hills Rd for 10 miles. Turn right to head north on Frozen Hill Rd for 1 mile. Turn left to head west on Prairie Main Rd and the farm is located on the south side of the road.
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 Bioreactor and Cover Crop Field Day
2023-06-06 10:30 - 12:30
Join Iowa Learning Farms for a bioreactor and cover crop field day on Tuesday, June 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Ron Vos’ farm near Ireton. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Bioreactors, and similar edge-of-field practices, have been prioritized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as they are some of the most cost-effective methods to improve water quality. These practices can be located within existing filter strips and are designed to work with the field’s drainage system. When partnered with cover crops in the field, farmers and landowners can take advantage of their additional benefits, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. Numerous programs with financial and technical assistance are now available to encourage farmers and landowners to install these critical practices.
Join us to learn more about how bioreactors work through the demonstration of the Conservation On The Edge trailer and a site visit to Ron’s bioreactor installed in 2022. Ron will share his experience with the bioreactor, as well as how he has been able to incorporate cover crops into his system. Ryan Johnson, Iowa Soybean Association conservation agronomist, will share best management practices for the northwest region of Iowa, and Colton Meyer, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship environmental specialist, will share program opportunities for cost-share related to bioreactors and cover crops.
The field day will be at 2766 450th St, Ireton, IA 51027. The farm is located on the north side of Hwy 10, about 3.3 miles west of HWY 75. 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 Cover Crop Field Day Near Coon Rapids
2023-06-13 12:00 - 17:00
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a cover crop field day on Tuesday, June 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Whiterock Conservancy Burr Oak Visitor Center near Coon Rapids. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
This field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops. Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. When paired with no-tillage additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events.
The field day will feature Crawford County farmer Doug Gronau, who farms with his son near Vail. For nearly 20 years, they have been planting no-till corn and soybeans to help reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, and manage soil moisture. The Gronau’s have also been using cover crops since 2014 to further address soil erosion and help improve water quality. Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will highlight best practices for establishing and managing cover crops to meet farm goals, and Meaghan Anderson, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist, will discuss the herbicide considerations for successfully establishing cover crops. The field day will also include a Conservation Station rainfall simulator demonstration.
The field day will be held at the Whiterock Conservancy Burr Oak Visitor Center, 1436 IA-141, Coon Rapids, IA 50058. 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 by June 6. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Water Quality Wetlands in Iowa
2023-06-14 12:00 - 17:00
Join Iowa Learning Farms June 14 at noon for a presentation by Shane Wulf, wetlands project manager for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), covering water benefits delivered with water quality wetland improvements.
Wulf works in concert with farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders in Iowa to identify opportunities for the development and installation of water quality wetlands. His work has contributed to reductions in nitrate loss to waterways and helps support achievement of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals.
In the webinar, “Water Quality Wetlands in Iowa,” Wulf will discuss the function of different water quality wetland types and how each contributes to nitrate reductions while also providing excellent wildlife habitat. He will share examples of built projects as well as offer an update on sites under development. Wulf will also review the historical wetlands focus of IDALS and discuss ongoing expansion of programs and the efforts to site projects within alternative landscapes.
“Wetlands have something to offer just about anyone, whether you are an avid birder or interested in water quality and conservation, IDALS’s efforts to promote wetland growth in Iowa delivers benefits to all Iowans,” said Wulf. “Participants in this webinar should gain a better understanding of the importance of water quality wetlands to Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy and how these crucial systems impact water quality.”
Shortly before 12:00 pm CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser:https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

July 12 Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Social and Natural Sciences Support Butterfly Conservation
2023-07-12 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place July 12 at noon CDT will feature Jon Dahlem, postdoctoral research associate, Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University. Dahlem is an environmental sociologist whose work focuses on understanding social obstacles which may inhibit conservation efforts. He applies multiple research methodologies to explore issues such as the production of conservation knowledge, power within and between conservation groups, and the applied use of the social sciences in conservation practice.
In the webinar, “How the Social Sciences Can Help Conserve Butterflies (and More),” Dahlem will draw on a social scientific case study of the highly threatened island marble butterfly to provide a reflection of ways the social sciences might illuminate otherwise hidden, yet important, solutions to problems in butterfly conservation work. He will also note correlations between this case study and implications and ideas for addressing Iowa’s monarch butterfly challenges.
“There is a growing trend in collaboration between natural scientists and social scientists striving to better understand the many social factors that lie at the root of environmental degradation and that can also constrain conservation action,” said Dahlem. “Figuring out the best combinations of approaches and efforts, as well as exploration of the chasm between identifying a social obstacle to conservation and seeing that obstacle overcome are ongoing. However, I think that this may be where sociologists and other social scientists can meaningfully assist in efforts to conserve pollinators such as butterflies, as well as many more species.”
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172
Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Efficient Cropping Systems that Deliver Environmental Benefits and Profit
2023-07-19 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place July 19 at noon CDT will feature Brook Wilke, associate director for agronomy and science: Kellogg Biological Station, Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (KBS LTAR). Wilke oversees agronomy and science activities for KBS LTAR and conducts research on agronomic innovations that enhance efficiency and sustainability of cropping systems. He has extensive experience in agricultural systems ranging from organic vegetables and local markets to pasture-based livestock and cropping systems, including educational activities related to these systems.
In the webinar, “Designing Cropping Systems for Efficiency, Environmental Performance and More Profit,” Wilke will discuss the success and challenges identified through the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) program implementation in southwest Michigan. He will provide insights into measurement approaches used to evaluate performance of an aspirational cropping system in comparison to prevailing practices in the area. Wilke will also highlight some agronomic challenges identified through the project which could present obstacles for broad adoption.
“There are clear economic and environmental advantages of implementing a regenerative and efficient cropping system in the upper Midwest, but these practices do come with layers of challenges that require precision and attention to detail in order to optimize performance and minimize risk,” said Wilke. “I hope that by sharing our experiences and lessons learned from the KBS LTAR project, farmers throughout the region will gain insights and confidence in utilizing more of these tools that can help improve the sustainability of their cropping systems.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Saturated Buffer Field Day
2023-07-25
Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a saturated buffer field day on Tuesday, July 25th from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Lee Tesdell’s farm near Slater. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
The installation of edge-of-field practices likes saturated buffers and bioreactors has been prioritized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to improve water quality as they are some of the most cost-effective methods. These practices can be located within existing filter strips and are designed to work with the drainage system of the field. Following the success of the batch and build project in Polk County, there are similar projects launching across the state that provide technical assistance and provide up to 100% cost share for these practices to be installed.
Join us to learn more about how these practices work through the demonstration of the Conservation On The Edge trailer. Gabriel Johnson, PhD student in Sustainable Agriculture and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, will share monitoring results from host Lee Tesdell’s sites along the Fourmile Creek. John Swanson Water Resources Supervisor with Polk County Public Works, will provide an update on the Polk County Batch and Build Project and share opportunities available to get involved. Weather permitting, host Lee Tesdell will lead a tour of the saturated buffers along the creek before a complimentary lunch is served.
The field day will be at Lee Tesdell’s farm located on NW 2nd Street, 1/2 mile south of 300 NW 158th Avenue, Slater, IA 50244 on the west side of the road. 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 that evening for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Adapting Agricultural Management in a Changing Climate
2023-07-26 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place July 26 at noon CDT will feature Dennis Todey, Ph.D., director, USDA Midwest Climate Hub. Todey works at the boundary of agriculture and climate helping develop new information and sharing that information to improve decision making throughout the region.
In the webinar, “Agriculture and Climate Change in Iowa and the Midwest – Adaptation, Mitigation and Decision Making,” Todey will provide an overview of several major climate change issues impacting agriculture in the region. He will also introduce some lesser-known issues and discuss the breadth of climate change impacts. Todey will provide guidance on strategies farmers could utilize to address these issues in their planning and management decisions to help ensure future success.
“The changes impacting agriculture are complex and difficult to fully grasp, yet we are already making changes and must continue to adapt to a changing climate,” said Todey. “As impacts continue to occur, achieving a better understanding of the path for agriculture in dealing with the wide range of climate issues is critical. However, strategies to mitigate potential risks add to already complicated decision making in agricultural management. It is not a simple topic, but one that is important to the future of agriculture, and I hope to offer insights that will get more people throughout the agriculture landscape thinking about ways to respond to a changing climate.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Iowa's 300 Species of Bees and Their Contributions to Agriculture
2023-08-02 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place August 2 at noon with feature Randall Paul Cass, bee extension specialist, Iowa State University. Cass joined ISU in 2017 becoming the first bee extension specialist at the university in over 70 years. He coordinates bee research, manages the university’s honey apiary, lectures and provides outreach to beekeepers, farmers, and landowners.
In the webinar, “Bee Health in Iowa’s Agricultural Landscape,” Cass will provide an overview of honeybees in Iowa, highlighting the difficulties facing these important pollinators. He will discuss the primary stressors honeybees face in the agricultural landscape and share practices which beekeepers, farmers, and landowners can do to help bees thrive and continue to contribute to the agricultural and natural ecosystems in Iowa.
“It is said that one out of every three bites of food we consume was created thanks to the tireless efforts of pollinators,” said Cass. “Iowa is home to more than 300 different species of bees, and I hope this presentation will help participants gain a better understanding of bee populations and the challenges they face, as well as actions individuals can take to mitigate stressors that affect bees in our area.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Randall Cass examines bees on honeycomb from inside a hive. Apiary manager Randall Cass at the new apiary at the Horticulture Research Station. (Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University)

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Understanding Residual Herbicide and Cover Crop Connections
2023-08-09 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Aug. 9 at noon will feature Bill Johnson, Ph.D. professor of weed science, Purdue University. Johnson focuses on developing weed management systems that are safe, economically and environmentally sound, integrate cultural practices with judicious herbicide use, improve efficiency of production, and minimize selection pressure for herbicide-resistant weeds. In addition, he promotes grower acceptance of these weed management systems through education efforts targeting growers, crop consultants, input suppliers, industry representatives and extension educators in Indiana and surrounding states.
In the webinar, “How do Cover Crops Impact Residual Herbicides in Corn and Soybean?,” Johnson will discuss the impact of cover crops on soil residual herbicides, and how persistence of the herbicides may affect corn and soybean production on Midwestern farms. He will highlight how cover crops impact deposition of residual herbicides on the soil and the influence of microbial activity on residual herbicide in the soil. Johnson will also discuss integrated weed management approaches which incorporate more weapons such as cover crops, tillage, and harvest weed seed management in the battle against weeds while sustaining the efficiency of currently available herbicide tools.
“Weeds that are resistant to postemergence herbicides used in corn and soybean are the main crop protection problem problem faced by growers on an annual basis,” said Johnson. “The use of residual herbicides is currently the easiest way to improve control of these weeds. High residue cover crops can be an effective way to supplement residual herbicides on a few selected weeds, but more information is needed on both the positive and negative interactions that can occur between cover crops and soil residual herbicides.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Prairie Strips Deliver Water Infiltration Benefits
2023-08-16 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place August 16 at noon will feature Eric Henning, Ph.D. student in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University. Henning conducts research related to the impacts of agricultural water management on nutrient export, soil health and crop yield.

In the webinar, “Comparing Infiltration Between Prairie Strips and Row Crop Fields Across Iowa,” Henning will highlight research into the effects of prairie strips on soil health and water infiltration at a field scale. He will also discuss the inclusion of prairie strips (CP43) as a CRP practice in the most recent Farm Bill and ways that this can influence adoption of this emerging practice.
“While prairie strips have been recognized for their positive impact on erosion control, water equality and wildlife habitat, is has also been noted that there are seasonal-and site-related variations in water infiltration performance of prairie strips,” said Henning. “The positive contributions in ecosystem services of prairie strips are disproportionately high when compared to the land area they occupy and what is happening in the soil is integral to many of these functions. I hope participants in this session will come away with an appreciation for prairie strips’ contribution as a soil and water conservation tool and will increase their understanding of the most significant positive changes that can result from implementation.
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: The True Costs of CAFOs
2023-08-23 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Aug. 23 at noon CDT will feature Alicia Vasto, water program director, Iowa Environmental Council. Vasto leads policy setting and outreach strategy for the Iowa Environmental Council’s (IEC) work on clean water and land stewardship. She has a master’s degree in environmental management with a focus on conservation and land management.
In the webinar, “CAFO Impacts, Costs, & Rulemaking in Iowa,” Vasto will provide an overview of Iowa’s rulemaking process for regulating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and the IEC’s efforts to improve the rules through the filling of petitions and comments. She will also discuss the background and current status of CAFO-related rules, and will share what the IEC has uncovered about the true costs of CAFOs for Iowans.
“The number of CAFOs in Iowa has exploded over the past few decades, and the impacts of these facilities on health and water quality continues to rise,” said Vasto. “CAFOs are touted as an economicla production option but there are many related costs that are often overlooked. I hope participants in this webinar will gain a better understanding of the true costs of CAFOs in terms of Iowans’ health and wallets.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Establishing and Managing Perennial Vegetation and CRP Field Day to be Held near Albion August 24
2023-08-24 10:30 - 12:00
Iowa Learning Farms, Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District, and USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), will host a perennial vegetation and CRP field day Thursday, August 24 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Wade Dooley’s farm near Albion. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
This field day aims to assist farmers and landowners with establishing and maintaining perennial vegetation, including Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) areas. These areas offer many benefits including reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, build soil health, improve wildlife and pollinator habitat and provide beauty to the landscape.
Sixth generation Marshall County farmer and host, Wade Dooley, will share how he has improved his farm’s profitability and resiliency through the incorporation of perennial vegetation on his acres adjacent to the river. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the equipment used for establishing perennial vegetation including a Great Plains drop seeder, a native seed drill, a small cultipacker and a traditional seed drill. Jason Gritsch, Iowa DNR Private Lands Biologist, will also discuss tips for successful establishment and management to ensure diversity and compliance with CRP programs. They will also highlight ways to enhance existing perennial vegetation to improve diversity and function.
The field day will be held at Wade Dooley’s farm located at 1755 Marsh Ave, Albion, IA 50005 and will be held rain or shine. The farm is located on the west road right at corner and field day signs will mark the driveway to enter. Insect repellent will be provided and attendees are encouraged to wear long pants and closed toe shoes.
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 Day August 29 Near Clarinda
2023-08-29 17:00 - 19:00
Join Iowa Learning Farms and Sand County Foundation Thursday, August 29 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Garrison House in Clarinda for a sunset walk with host Seth Watkins, a 2023 Leopold Conservation Award Recipient. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
The field day aims to assist farmers and landowners with identifying best management practices for their land, including the establishment and maintenance of perennial vegetation to improve farm sustainability and profitability. Perennial vegetation areas on the farm offer many benefits including reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat and providing to the beautiful landscape.
Seth Watkins has been working to bring his vision for farming to life since the 1990s when he inherited and purchased land that would become Pinhook Farm. He understands sustainability is not possible without profitability and has successfully demonstrated that the use of no-till and rotationally grazing livestock can create a balance between caring for the land and supporting his family. With 100 acres enrolled in CRP, including restored prairies and windbreaks, shallow water habitats, and riparian buffers, Seth has seen influx of songbirds, Monarch butterflies and beneficial pollinators.
The field day will also feature Adam Janke, Iowa State University Associate Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, and Joe McGovern, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation President. The field day will conclude with Seth leading a sunset tour of the farm and prairie.
The field day will be held at the Garrison House located at 106 N 16th St, Clarinda, IA 51632. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required 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 Grazing Field Day Aug. 30 Near Eddyville
2023-08-30 10:30 - 12:30
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Pathfinders RC&D, is hosting a grazing field day on Wednesday, August 30 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Calvin Van Genderen’s farm and reclaimed abandoned mine land near Eddyville. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Facing challenges with his herd’s health and calving, Wapello Country cattle farmer, Calvin Van Genderen determined it was tied to the coal mining residual in the water pools of his pasture areas. Working with the IDALS Abandoned Mine Line Program and gaining access to a rural water system improved overall herd health and grazing potential for the area. A newly reclaimed mine seeded this spring will be featured in the field portion of this grazing field day.
Additional speakers include Chris Clark, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist, sharing best management practices for rotational grazing on fragile lands and managing systems for dry conditions, Vince Sitzmann, IDALS mines and minerals bureau chief, discussing the AML program and history of the sites, and Kevin Andersen, Iowa DNR private lands biologist, highlighting how these AML program sites can benefit pollinators like the monarch butterfly.
Iowa’s historic position as a coal-producing state has led the IDALS AML Program that is working to reclaim some 12,000 acres across 300 abandoned surface coal mine sites in Iowa. The hundreds of currently abandoned mines include hazardous features that continue to impact the environment. By employing mass grading, neutralization and installation of conservation practices, the program is returning these sites to working lands.
The field day will be at Calvin Van Genderen’s farm, 197572 165th St. Eddyville, IA 52553. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required 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 that evening for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Corn Stover Harvest Impacts
2023-08-30 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place August 30th at noon CDT will feature Claire Phillips, research soil scientist, Peter O’Brien, research agronomist, and Rob Malone, research agricultural engineer, from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS). This team of experts co-published a study on “Thirteen-year stover harvest and tillage effects on soil compaction in Iowa”. Malone also led a study of corn stover harvest nitrogen (N) content and energy budgets in central Iowa. O’Brien has also published research on soil CO2 flux reductions and carbon (C) losses related to corn stover harvests.
In the webinar, “Corn Stover Harvest Impacts in Central Iowa,” Phillips, O’Brien, and Malone will provide an overview of corn stover practices and current outcomes in bioenergy production that utilize stover. In addition, they will discuss soil impacts and concerns surrounding stover harvest such as soil compaction, soil carbon and CO2 flux, N loss in drainage water. The session will also address the impact of stover harvest on subsequent crop yields and farm-gate net energy.
“While cellulosic bioenergy production consistently falls well below US goals, renewable natural gas produced through anaerobic digestion of agricultural residues such as corn stover is recently gaining momentum and shows promise,” said Phillips. “Our research strongly suggests that stover harvest can be effectively employed without detrimental effects on crop, soil, and water quality while providing opportunity to increase cellulosic bioenergy production, and we encourage farmers and landowners to explore the opportunities surrounding this practice.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Diversified Agricultural Systems Field Day
2023-09-06 12:00 - 14:00
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Jóia Food & Fiber Farm, Savanna Institute, University of Minnesota Forever Green, and USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), will host a field day Wednesday, September 6 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at Wendy Johnson and Johnny Rafkin’s farm near Charles City. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Hosts Wendy and John started Jóia Food & Fiber Farm in 2010 with a mission to farm holistically. While farming organic row crops, they decided to keep some of the land to pasture for soil health, water quality and drainage concerns. The farm is now certified organic, with some areas in transition to organic using Kernza®. Sheep and lambs are certified Animal Welfare Approved and they also raise pigs, broiler chickens, layer chickens, turkeys, a few cows of their own and custom graze a 25 cow/calf herd. With growing interest in agroforestry, they are utilizing silvopasture through the integration of trees and shrubs, including fruit and nut types, in their pastures. Additionally, Wendy co-owns Counting Sheep Sleep Company, a wool fiber business utilizing Jóia’s wool and co-manages the family farm, Center View Farms Co, with her father and has helped to expand conservation practices on her family’s traditional row-crop farm to become more sustainable and regenerative by implementing 100% no-till, adding cover crops, and reducing costly inputs.
Weather permitting, the program will feature a field tour and discussion with Jenn Ripp, agroforestry educator with the Savanna Institute highlighting ways to integrate silvopasture in the grazing system. Matt Leavitt, perennial grains and winter annuals agronomy specialist at University of Minnesota Forever Green, will discuss the use of Kernza as a perennial crop that is being used for food, feed and brewing. Omar de-Kok Mercado, Mad Agriculture Midwest regional manager will share their role in helping producers transition to perennials. Josh Heims, Floyd County NRCS district conservationist, will share cost opportunities available for grazing, agroforestry and transitioning to organic.
The field day will be held at Jóia Food & Fiber Farm located at 2038 March Avenue, Charles City, IA 50616 and will be held rain or shine. The farm is located on the east side of the road right and field day signs will mark the driveway to enter. Insect repellent will be provided and attendees are encouraged to wear long pants and closed toe shoes.
The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required 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 Prarie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Water Stress Impacts on Crops - Excess and Deficit
2023-09-06 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place Sep. 6 at noon will feature Jeff Strock, Ph.D., professor and soil scientist, University of Minnesota Southwest Research & Outreach Center. Strock’s research activities are focused on diversified cropping systems/rotation complexity and agricultural drainage water management. He directs a field-based research program focused on vadose zone hydrology, agricultural drainage, crop response to water, and understanding nutrient mobility, uptake, storage, transformation and losses in agricultural systems.
In the webinar, “Crop Response to Excess and Deficit Water Stress,” Stock will present results from studies of corn and soybean production in southwest Minnesota between 2019 and 2022, in which growing periods included average, wet and dry conditions. He will discuss crop performance in terms of grain yield and crop canopy temperature data under the different conditions. Strock will also provide insights on soil water content data collected in non-irrigated fields and those irrigated with recycled drainage water.
“The incidence and frequency of extreme wet and dry conditions is becoming more common and has even occurred within a single growing season,” said Strock. “Farmers need strategies to respond to often unpredictable and changing weather conditions to help maintain crop productivity and profitability. Supplemental irrigation through drainage water recycling is one such strategy that farmers should consider, and may become necessary, to maintain crop performance in the future.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Focus on Phosphorus Loss Mitigation and Cover Crops
2023-09-13 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place September 13 at noon will feature Nathan Nelson, professor, Kansas State University Department of Agronomy.
Nelson investigates nutrient cycling, fate, and transport in agroecosystems and develops best management practices that minimize nutrient loss and maximize nutrient use efficiency. He leads research at the Kansas Agricultural Watershed Field Laboratory, established in 2014 to investigate effects of agricultural systems on surface water quality and develop best management practices to reduce non-point source pollution from agricultural lands.
In the webinar, “Cover Crop Impacts on Surface Runoff, Sediment and Phosphorus Losses,” Nelson will provide details on how cover crops have been shown to affect surface runoff volume, intensity, sediment losses and phosphorus (P) losses from no-till corn and soybean production fields. He will also discuss how cover crops affect the form of P leaving the field with runoff. In addition, Nelson will provide insights on how management approaches for P fertilizer can be used in conjunction with cover crops to improve downstream surface water quality.
“It is crucial that all agricultural ecosystem participants make efforts to be good stewards of the land and seek to understand the connections between management practices and downstream water quality,” said Nelson. “Employing practices that no only protect water quality but also maintain and potentially improve soil health and crop productivity by keeping soil and nutrients in the fields should return value on multiple levels. It is also important to integrate multiple practices such as 4R nutrient management and cover crops to create conservation systems which can provide the best practical water quality outcomes.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

2023 Iowa Water Conference: "Navigating the Extremes" Pre-Conference Tour
2023-09-18
Prepare for the 2023 Iowa Water Conference: “Navigating the Extremes” by participating in the Pre-Conference Tour! The event is free to all conference participants.

2023 Iowa Water Conference: "Navigating the Extremes"
2023-09-19 - 2023-09-20
The 17th annual Iowa Water Conference will be held on September 19-20, 2023, at the Meadows Events and Conference Center at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. This year, the conference theme is “Navigating the Extremes.” Climate change has been disrupting water supplies and impacting the environment, socioeconomic structures, and ecosystems, such as forests, soils, lakes, cities, and communities.
For more information, and to register, go to https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/iwc2022/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Food-Energy-Water Nexus Modeling for Iowa
2023-09-20 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place September 20 at noon will feature Julia Brittes Tuthill, Ph.D. student at Iowa State University. Brittes Tuthill is part of the Iowa Food-Energy-Water Systems (IFEWs) research group at Iowa State University that is developing an Iowa Food-Energy-Water simulation model. She is helping to create the model database and develop a visualization tool to observe the relationship between agricultural products (food, feed, biofuels) and water quality.
In the webinar, “Using Date to Understand the Connections in the Iowa Food-Energy-Water Nexus,” Brittes Tuthill will provide an overview of the purpose and structure of a comprehensive Food, Energy and Water (FEW) nexus model for the state of Iowa which addresses the intricate relationships between agricultural production and nutrient pollution. She will also discuss progress on a data visualization tool which is being developed to depict the interconnections between various subsystems and their spatial-temporal variations, providing insights into the impact of nutrient pollution locally and throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya Basin. Brittes Tuthill will also discuss ways in which the model and visualizations can deliver decision making assistance to stakeholders.
“Understanding the complex interplay between agriculture, energy and water quality in Iowa is crucial for substantial resource management,” said Brittes Tuthill. “Our ongoing research and model development sheds light on the intricate connections within the Food, Energy, and Water nexus. We envision users such as researchers, farmers, and policymakers will use these tools to better understand and collaboratively devise effective strategies for nutrient reduction, thus ensuring a healthier Mississippi-Atchafalaya Basin and resilient agricultural production.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Positive Outcomes of Managing Streambank Stability
2023-09-27 12:00 - 17:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place September 27 at noon will feature Dan Kirby, fisheries biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Manchester Fisheries Management office. Kirby works to improve fishing and aquatic resources through habitat management, water quality improvement and access enhancement. He specializes in improving fishing resources in small streams through cooperative efforts involving public and private land managers, with a particular emphasis on trout streams.
In the webinar, “Management Practices and Techniques for Streambank Stability,” Kirby will cover practical approaches to streambank stabilization as well as offering advice on steps for undertaking such projects. He will address factors that impact streambank stability along Iowa’s rivers and streams while describing aspects that can and cannot be influenced through land management interventions. Kirby will also discuss common techniques that can be utilized to improve streambank stability and reduce bank erosion, and will address the importance of seeking expert advice regarding best practices, regulatory aspects of streambank management and cost-share assistance.
“Streambank erosion is a common challenge faced by land managers across Iowa that can have detrimental effects on water quality, agricultural productivity and infrastructure,” said Kirby. “Participants in this session should gain an improved understanding of possible techniques and practices, setting practical goals and where to turn for advice on next steps toward improving streambank stability.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Special Addition! Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Drought Planning and Response in Livestock Operations
2023-10-05 12:00 - 13:30
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place October 5 at noon CDT will feature Daniel Andersen, associate professor and extension specialist, Iowa State University. Andersen’s research focuses on livestock manure management strategies to improve sustainability and address water quality.
In the webinar, “When Wells Run Short – Options for Livestock Farmers When Water Becomes and Issue,” Andersen will present an overview of current drought conditions in Iowa that are impacting livestock information operations. He will discuss options that livestock producers may have if wells begin to run short during drought conditions. Andersen will also offer advice and best practices for developing emergency action plans to respond to critical water shortages.
“Drought is certainly more evident in crop fields, but it can be equally devastating to the livestock producer,” said Andersen. “The past three years of dry weather have left many Iowa streams almost dry, and in some areas well water supplies are below normal. I hope that participants in this webinar will gain insights into options for responding to this trying situation as well as planning steps that can erase impacts before the water runs out.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Deploying Large-scale Green Infrastructure Projects Requires Public-Private Collaboration
2023-10-11 12:00 - 13:30
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place October 11 at noon CDT will feature Craig Clarkson, water resources practice group leader at ISG, Inc. Clarkson leads ISG’s water resources practice group in designing flood control and water quality infrastructure projects in Iowa, including one of the largest green infrastructure projects in the Midwest, Market District. He is a recognized expert in urban stormwater management with a focus on flood control and water quality improvement through the utilization of green infrastructure. He has also worked on numerous large and small-scale watershed planning and design projects throughout the country.
In the webinar, Market District Green Infrastructure: One of the largest urban water quality projects in the Midwest,” Clarkson will draw on details from the Market District project to discuss the critical importance of public-private partnerships to push large-scale green infrastructure projects forward, and the growing opportunities for bold urban water management solutions. He will present an outline of the Market District project which encompasses a 12 square block area being developed as a mixed-use neighborhood in a former industrial hub known for its flooding issues. Clarkson will also discuss the advances in adoption of sustainability and water quality priorities by the city.
“The Market District project in downtown Des Moines represents another step forward in the city’s bright future for mitigating and managing urban runoff to help improve water quality,” said Clarkson. “This project uses distributed green infrastructure as an amenity, highlighting the multi-benefits of utilizing natural stormwater management practices in our built world. In addition, the project provides an excellent real-world validation that green infrastructure can be successfully incorporated into our built world without sacrificing function or usable space, marking a big step forward for urban water quality.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Urban and Rural Water Quality Perceptions in Iowa
2023-10-18 12:00 - 15:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place October 18 at noon will feature Jacqueline Comito, director of Iowa Learning Farms at Iowa State University. Comito is an anthropologist and a longtime leader of the award winning ILF and Water Rocks! education and outreach programs from ISU Extension and Outreach. She has led numerous nationally-recognized research projects regarding water quality, conservation efforts, and the human element which affects perception and action in these areas.
In the webinar, “Water Issues in Iowa: The Urban-Rural Divide Revisited,” Comito will share highlights from the recently published Water Issues in Iowa report which aggregates survey data with interviews of college students, farmers, and landowners, and rural and urban Iowans to depict current water quality sentiments. She will focus on the differences in perception of water quality issues between rural and urban residents and will share thoughts on the foundations of these differences as well as potential methods to rectify them. Comito highly recommends that participants in the webinar download the free report and browse through it before the webinar.
“This project leveraged information and responses that were gathered through opportunistic and ad hoc activities including surveys, interviews with regent university students and listening sessions with farmers, non-farming rural and urban dwellers, and others with an interest in improving water quality,” said Comito. “While the method did not necessarily provide a representative sample of Iowans, it wasn’t our goal to do that. Rather, we wanted to elevate specific voices, such as teachers and college students, who aren’t often included in water quality surveys. The combination of the different datasets and design of listening session questions gave us an excellent snapshot of what many Iowans think about water quality and who they feel should take responsibility for addressing issues of importance.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms - Conservation On Tap in Des Moines
2023-10-19 18:00 - 19:00
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Des Moines Water Works and Conservation Learning Group, will host a “Conservation on Tap” event on Thursday, October 19, from 6-7 p.m. at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Des Moines.
The event will provide local farmers, landowners, and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by October 16 by calling 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
“Our intent with this event is to help build community through encouraging farmers, landowners, and urban residents to talk about topics important within the community, what keeps them up at night, what challenges they see with conservation practices, and what they want to learn more about,” said Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover cop outreach specialist. “There will be no formal presentations or agenda, just a chance to talk, ask questions, listen, and learn while enjoying a beverage and provided food. We are looking forward to learning alongside everyone else who attends.

Hosts at the event will include Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager of Des Moines Water Works, Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Dr. Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director. Staff from Big Grove Brewery will also join in the conversation about why water matters for brewing.
“This is another opportunity for us to partner with like-minded organizations who truly want to see improvements in water quality in our watersheds and want to be part of the solution,” Corrigan said. “We look forward to this series of discussions and engaging with attendees about where their water comes from and the water quality challenges we face in our state. We need interested landowners and citizens involved in not only discussing these challenges, but being part of the solution for improved water quality.”
To learn more about planned field days, virtual field days, webinars and other conservation events, please visit https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/events-1

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Prairie Strip Soil Movement Measurement Explained
2023-11-01 12:00 - 15:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place November 1 at noon will feature Jessica Nelson, graduate research assistant, Iowa State University. A member of the Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips (STRIPS) team since 2019, Nelson’s research and studies are focused on sustainable agriculture and studying bioeconomic valuation of cropping systems and environmental outcomes from various management practices.
In the webinar, “Movement of Soil in Corn and Soybean Fields Managed with Prairie Strips,” Nelson will discuss outcomes of research utilizing mesh soil pads deployed in paired comparison fields to monitor the movement of soil within fields and flumes and assess edge-of-field sediment transport. She will discuss the pairing of study sites with prairie strips and those without prairie strips. Nelson will also share data and results including mass movement per day and total suspended sediment (TSS) load per rain event.
“Better management of soil loss within the Midwestern agroecological systems is crucial to sustaining strong row crop performance,” said Nelson. “Implementing diverse best management practices such as prairie strips or increasing groundcover year-round offer opportunities to slow losses and improve soil health. I am hopeful that participants in this session will be able to better imagine the possibilities that can help halt the decline of our ecosystems.”
Shortly before noon CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Community-Based Pesticide Resistance Management
2023-11-08 12:00 - 14:00
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place November 8 at noon will feature Katehrine Dentzman, Ph.D., assistant professor of rural sociology, Iowa State University. Dentzman specializes in transdisciplinary agri-food research at the intersection of environmental and social sustainability. Using mixed method designs and a grounding in critical theory, she has contributed a unique sociology perspective to nearly a dozen separate research teams.
In the webinar, “Community Approaches to Pesticide Resistance Management,” Dentzman will describe the ongoing issue of pesticide resistance – a complex situation for which there are no simple solutions, and discuss why individual management approaches have been ineffective in preventing resistant weeds, insects and pathogens from continuing to spread across agricultural lands. She will highlight the impact of larger factors such as farm sizes, crop prices and market volatility which can limit management choices available to farmers, crop advisers, and other agricultural stakeholders. Dentzman will also discuss the potential of community-based management as one possible avenue for dealing with this landscape-scale issue.
“There is increased evidence that pesticide resistance is an issue that cannot be managed through individual efforts, but improving understanding of collaborative community-based approaches among stakeholders may help break through the current barriers and provide systemic improvements,” said Dentzman. “I hope that participants in this session will come away with a better understanding of the struggles different stakeholders face in managing resistance and how a collaborative approach can assist in overcoming these barriers.”
Shortly before noon CST, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA#/registration
