Iowa Water Center

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Lake Drainage in Iowa, 1880-1920
2023-01-04 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Jan. 11 presentation features Joe Otto, Director of Special Projects for the Soil and Water Conservation Society, highlighting an era in Iowa agriculture that changed the landscape and gave rise to water conservation consideration

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Jan. 11 at noon CST will feature Joe Otto, director of special projects and partnerships, Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), and doctoral candidate in history, University of Oklahoma. Otto directs operations for over $2 million in federal and state grants, including partnerships with Iowa NRCS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. As SWCS historian, he works to preserve the history of the Conservation Movement. His doctoral research focuses on the agricultural and environmental history of Iowa, with a focus on drainage water management, drainage districts, and the contested process of planning, building, and maintaining drainage systems.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Lake Drainage in Iowa, 1880-1920,” Otto will offer a retrospective of a time in Iowa’s agriculture industrial development in which drainage of lakes forever changed the state’s landscape and gave rise to the creation of the State Board of Conservation (predecessor to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) in 1918. He will discuss the goals and controversies surrounding lake drainage and the redefinition of the physical and legal barriers of the state’s numerous depressional lakes. Otto will also cite the sometimes complex conflicts over the benefits of drainage and the ethical stewardship of private lands and public waters.
“During this historical period, farmers and landowners established a large patchwork network of drainage infrastructure that continues to operate beneath Iowa’s fields and farms,” said Otto. “Reconnecting with this historical moment in Iowa’s agricultural past that is as forgotten as it is brief provides a foundation for understanding some of the water conservation and quality challenges facing us today. Exploring Iowa’s history from the water’s edge makes the past a lot muddier.”
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Jan. 11:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172
The webinar will also be recorded and archived. All archived webinars are available on the ILF website, so that they can be watched at any time.
ILF has applied for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) for attending this webinar. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
Jan. 18: Lee Burras, Iowa State University
Jan. 25: Maria Lemke, The Nature Conservancy

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Reaching and Engaging with Women Landowners on Conservation
2022-12-07 12:00
Dec. 7 presentation features Cornell University’s Wendong Zhang discussing the importance of including women landowners when addressing conservation and water quality

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Dec. 7 at noon CST will feature Wendong Zhang, assistant professor, Dyson School of Applied Economics, Cornell University. Zhang conducts research and extension programs regarding the U.S. farmland market, agricultural water quality initiatives and Chinese agricultural practices. His survey of women landowners in Iowa provides numerous insights into conservation practice priorities among a group owning nearly half of the farmland in Iowa.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “What Women Landowners Want to Know About Conservation,” Zhang will draw on the responses to a 2021 survey to illustrate which conservation topics owner-operator and absentee landowners care about. He will also share the findings regarding preferences for how, where and when to receive educational programming on conservation topics. Additionally, Zhang will discuss the underrepresentation and under participation of women landowners in extension programming and agricultural data collection, and the impact of missing this influential group can have on the implementation of conservation practices.
“We have found that different approaches to outreach and education of landowners are necessary to meet the needs and preferences that are somewhat dependent on age and whether a landowner operates the farm or not,” said Zhang. “For all landowners, and most particularly for women landowners, our survey results indicate that the best approach is a mixed-mode which encompasses newsletters, e-newsletters, webinars, and in-person educational meetings offered at a variety of times.”
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Dec. 7:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172
The webinar will also be recorded and archived. All archived webinars are available on the ILF website, so that they can be watched at any time.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
Dec. 14: Lisa Schulte Moore, Iowa State University
Dec. 21: Etienne Herrick, University of Michigan
Jan. 4 2023: Keith Schilling, University of Iowa
Jan. 11 2023: Joe Otto, Soil and Water Conservation Society

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Imagination Could Be the Key to Cleaner Waterways
2022-11-23 12:00
Nov. 23 presentation features Iowa Learning Farms Director Jaqueline Comito speaking about the power of imagination in establishing goals and creating real changes in water quality

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Nov. 23 at noon CST will feature Jacqueline Comito, anthropologist and director of Iowa Learning Farms at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Comito is actively involved in extension and outreach activities in the areas of water, watershed-based community activities, natural resources, and environmental attitudes and behaviors. She regularly interacts with stakeholders including farmers, interested citizens, teachers, college students, youth, environmental groups and agency personnel. In this session, Comito will continue the conversation from her November 2020 and 2021 webinars that looked at spiritual and cultural means of inspiring people to make changes for the good of the planet.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Can We Imagine a Healthy River in Iowa?,” Comito will discuss the science of imagination utilizing insights gathered from university students during a recent survey and round of interviews. Elevating the voices of some 2800 survey respondents and 60 who were interviewed in person, she will speak about how imagination could be integrated into environmental work and engage the audience in discussing concrete steps each can take to tap their imagination for change. Comito will also highlight the generational challenge of helping young people imagine healthy waterways when they have never experienced anything but the currently compromised ecosystems they have grown up with.
“It isn’t often in environmental circles that we are asked to engage our imaginations in terms of what we hope to see,” said Comito. “The survey and conversations with these college students made it clear that there is interest in the environment and natural surroundings, but it is important to inspire them to begin to think differently about the world around them. We should be empowering and challenging them to use their imaginations to change the world—even when it seems like real change is elusive.”
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Nov. 23:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:

Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172

The webinar will also be recorded and archived. All archived webinars are available on the ILF website, so that they can be watched at any time.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
Nov. 30: Lauren Salvato, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA)
Dec. 7: Wendong Zhang, Cornell University
Dec. 14: Lisa Schulte Moore, Iowa State University
Dec. 21: Etienne Herrick, University of Michigan

Iowa Learning Farms Cover Crops and Wetland Field Day Near Keota Nov. 22
2022-11-22 12:00 - 14:00
AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, will host a wetland and cover crop field day Tuesday, November 22 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Lagos Acres Golf & Country Club near Keota. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Water quality enhancement wetlands are constructed to reduce nitrogen loads from croplands to streams and rivers, while also providing wildlife habitat and increased recreational opportunities. To accelerate the installation of wetlands across the state to help meet the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals, the Iowa Water Quality Initiative offers flexible, cost-share funding to help install wetlands in areas that do not meet other program requirements. To date, more than 30 additional wetlands are set to begin construction in the next two or three years.
Additional efforts to meet the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals start in the field with practices like cover crops and no-till. While helping to improve water quality downstream, cover crops offer many benefits in the field including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, and increased soil organic matter. When paired with no-tillage, cover crops increase water infiltration during heavy rain events.
Field day attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Keokuk County farmer Denny Lyle about how he has incorporated cover crops into his system, alongside no-till soybeans and corn, and how he manages the water quality enhancement wetland constructed on his farm. Shane Wulf and Matt McDonald with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will share how to get involved with the Water Quality Initiative and details about the water quality enhancement wetland program. Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist, will share results from on-farm cover crop demonstration trials and resources available to help farmers and landowners make a successful transition to a cover crop and no-till system.
The field day will be held at Lagos Acres Golf & Country Club, 2010 Keokuk Washington Rd, Keota, IA 52248 and will be held rain or shine. Weather permitting, the field day will include a site tour of the wetland.
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.

Forecasting HABs and Developmental Impacts of Neurotoxin Exposure on Aquatic Populations
2022-11-22 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at 11AM CT

The Algal Bloom Action Team is hosting its final webinar of the 2022 series on December 7, 2022. This installment will feature Dr. Richard Stumpf from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science at NOAA and Dr. Jessica Ward from Ball State University. This session will examine forecasting and monitoring cyanobacterial blooms and overview a recent assessment of the effects of developmental exposure to neurotoxins on minnow interactions.

Featured Speakers:

Richard Stumpf, Oceanographer, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Program Office and Headquarters, NOAA: Some Experiences in Monitoring and Modeling Cyanobacterial Blooms

Jessica Ward, Associate Professor of Animal Behavior, Ball State University: Forecasting harmful algal blooms and developmental impacts of neurotoxin exposure on aquatic populations.

REGISTER HERE

Iowa Learning Farms Virtual Field Day Scheduled for December 8
2022-11-22 08:00 - 17:00
Utilizing Drainage Water Recycling To Improve Water Quality and Manage Weather Risk
Iowa Learning Farms Virtual Field Day Scheduled for December 8, 2022 at 1pm CT
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group (CLG), is hosting a free virtual field day discussing drainage water recycling on December 8 at 1 p.m. CDT. Join us for a live discussion with Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Director, Chris Hay, Iowa Soybean Association Senior Research Scientist, Shane Wulf, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Environmental Specialist Senior, and Mark Schleisman, Calhoun County farmer and landowner.
Drainage water recycling (DWR) is a drainage management system designed to capture water during wet periods so it can be used later when growing crops are thirsty. Versions of DWR have been around for years, but adoption has remained limited. Now, interest is growing as the practice is recognized for its potential to improve water quality and help farmers reduce risks from weather volatility.
During this virtual field day, attendees will have a chance to get a closer look at new installations being used to collect in-field data on the performance of these systems. These sites are being studied as part of a research project led by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Iowa Soybean Association analyzing drainage water recycling’s costs and benefits, with funding from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the EPA’s Gulf of Mexico Division.
“Too much rain or not enough rain are two of the biggest problems for Iowa crops most years,” said Chris Hay. “Drainage water recycling can help farmers address these challenges. Research — mostly done in other states — shows it can boost yields by up to 50% for corn and 30% for soybeans. Our early work modeling it here in Iowa also shows potential for significant yield gains, especially in dry years, and the system can also benefit water quality and wildlife. But there’s still a lot of work to be done to predict what farmers can expect in terms of return on investment.”
Virtual Field Day Access Instructions:
To participate in the live virtual field day at 1:00 pm CT on December 8 to learn more, click this URL: https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduihpj8iE9ZHcjpsenc2DWQILG41wg0D or visit https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/events-1 and click “Join Live Virtual Field Day”.
Or, join from a dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 945 3331 7620
The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF website so that it can be watched at any time. The archive will be available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/virtual-field-day-archive.
Participants may be eligible for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU). Information about how to apply to receive the credit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live field day.

Watershed Management Research and Outreach Internship Program Q&A
2022-11-14 14:00 - 15:00
Join us for an informal question and answer session on the Watershed Management Research and Internship Program! We are currently taking applications for summer 2023 and this is your opportunity to hear from students who participated in 2022, ask questions to our mentors, and learn about the application process.
The Watershed Management Research and Internship Program is a full-time, paid internship program for undergraduates. The internships take place from Mid to late May to August 2023. Interns are paired with a mentor depending on your interests and preferences and placed at one of six leading institutions across the North Central Region of the US where you will gain valuable hands-on experience that will help you pursue a future career in watershed management. More info at https://northcentralwater.org/watershedinternship

Nov 14, 2022 02:00 – 03:00 PM CT
Register here.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Building Water Resilience in the Corn Belt
2022-11-09 12:00
Nov. 9 presentation features John McMaine from South Dakota State University discussing water quality and water management amid changing climate and landscape conditions
Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Nov. 9 at noon CST will feature John McMaine, William Mibra Griffith and Byrne S. Griffith Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, South Dakota State University. Dr. McMaine is passionate about solving challenges related to water and weather through his work in Extension and Research in South Dakota. He regularly works with individuals and organizations across the agricultural and environmental spectrum to address challenges and assist in water management practice decision making.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Building South Dakota’s Roadmap to Water Resilience,” McMaine will draw on studies of water quality, water management, and soil health in South Dakota that are also relevant to producers in other Corn Belt states. He will highlight challenges related to climate and landscape changes. McMaine will also present current research from South Dakota regarding soil health and conservation drainage and how to build resilience into agricultural systems.
“As South Dakota continues to see changes to climate and landscape and as the Corn Belt pushes further west and north, the imperatives for improving water management in the field has implications for both the farmer and downstream users from water quality and water quantity standpoints,” said McMaine. “We cannot control the weather, so it is critical that we take effective steps through structural and management practices to ensure we make the most of the water we have to work with.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CST Nov. 9:
Click this URL, 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
Or, join from a dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172
The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/webinars
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
11/16: Sarah Noggle, The Ohio State University
11/23: Jacqueline Comito, Iowa Learning Farms
11/30: Lauren Salvato, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA)
12/7: Wendong Zhang, Cornell University

Methods for Streambank Stabilization: Contractor Training Opportunity
2022-11-04 09:30 - 14:00
November 4, 9:30 am- 2:00 pm at the Clive Aquatic Center: 1801 NW 114th St., Clive, IA 50325
Training Details
More and more streambank stabilization practices are being installed in streams across Iowa. Learn from state experts on how to efficiently construct stabilization projects.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
• Overview of commonly used streambank stabilization practices such as bendway weirs, locked logs, longitudinal toe protection, steppool systems, etc.
• Bid-line items
• Understanding plans
• Sourcing materials
• Re-routing water in streams
• Elevation tracking
The opportunity will feature class room & field instruction at an active construction site
Training Agenda
9:30am – 10:00am: Welcome and Introduction to Streambank Stabilization
10:00 am – 11:00 am: Streambank Stabilzation Practices and the Iowa River Restoration Toolbox
11:00am – 11:30 am: Understanding Plans and Design Specifics-Review Indian Hills Plans
11:30pm-12:00 pm: Lunch
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Visit to Active Construction Site Project: Indian Hills
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Key Site checks, Elevation Tracking, Sourcing Materials
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm: Erosion Control & Pollution Prevention and Closing Remarks
Course Instructors:
• Nate Hogeveen, Iowa Director River Programs, Iowa DNR
• Jason, City of Clive Construction Supervisor for Streambank
Register here.
Registration is $70 and lunch is included.
Please Bring PPE: Vests, shoes, hard hats

2022 Center for PFAS Research Annual Symposium
2022-10-25 09:00 - 17:00
Emerging Technologies in PFAS Remediation and Toxicity
Oct. 25, 2022
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hannah Community Center
819 Abbot Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823
Register

Please join us for the Inaugural Annual Symposium on Emerging Technologies in PFAS Remediation and Toxicity. The event includes speakers who will address ways to combat this global challenge.

Marc Mills – US EPA
Suzanne Witt – Enspired Solutions
Hui Li – Michigan State University
Moiz Mumtaz – ATSDR/CDC
Barbara Wetmore – US EPA
Brad Upham – Michigan State University

Agenda:

8 a.m. – Check In
8:15 a.m. – Introduction
8:25 a.m. – Marc Mills
9:10 a.m. – Break
9:20 a.m. – Suzanne Witt
9:50 a.m. – Break
10 a.m. – Hui Li
10:30 a.m. – Questions
11:15 a.m. – Lunch
12:15 p.m. – Poster Session
12:50 p.m. – Barbara Wetmore
1:35 p.m. – Break
1:45 p.m. – Moiz Momtaz
2:15 p.m. – Break
2:25 p.m. – Brad Upham
3:55 p.m. – Questions
4:40 p.m. – Adjourn

Cost:
Students: $10
Regular Attendees: $50
Registrations cancelled on or after Oct. 11 will incur a $15 cancellation fee. No registration fees will be returned after October 20.
Welcome from the Director
More Information

Engaging the Next Generation of Water Stewards
2022-10-20 14:00
Thursday, October 20th at 2pm CT
Water resource management is a field at the nexus of agriculture, natural resources, social science, public health and economics – all of which provide a wealth of professional opportunities. Yet, many students have limited exposure to watershed management as a field of study or a future professional opportunity.
This special edition of The Current Webinar Series will take place on ‘Imagine a Day Without Water’ and will feature research on environmental education – who we are reaching and who we aren’t – and showcase two programs aimed at engaging youth and young professionals in water resource management.
Featured Speakers:

Justin Hougham, Associate Professor, Division of Extension at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
John McMaine, Griffith Chair in Agriculture and Water Resources, Director of the South Dakota Water Resources Institute, Director of the Mesonet at SDSU and Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist-Water Management Engineer at South Dakota State University
Jennifer Fetter, Extension Educator and Water Resources Program Team Leader at Penn State Extension

REGISTER HERE

Exploring a Pumped Bioreactor System for Improved Water Quality Virtual Field Day Set for October 20
2022-10-20 13:00
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Conservation Learning Group, will present a virtual field day on Thursday, October 20 at 1 p.m. CDT. Join us for a live conversation with Iowa State University Ph.D. candidate, Lindsey Hartfiel, Michelle Soupir, professor and associate chair for research, department of agricultural and biosystems engineering, Iowa State University and Natasha Hoover, water quality research scientist at Iowa State University.
In recent years, bioreactors have shown themselves to be efficient and dynamic tools for improving water quality through denitrification. Now, a new innovation suggests an additional use for these bioreactors, even when water isn’t flowing from the field tile drainage. This new design is a pumped bioreactor system with a pilot project installed just outside Ames. Pumping water through a bioreactor allows it to be used beyond the seasonal patterns of subsurface drainage, extend its use to new applications, and very possibly extend the life of the bioreactor itself. This virtual field day will explore the results of the design and discuss future plans for the project.
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms virtual field days are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Virtual Field Day Access Instructions:To participate in the live virtual field day, shortly before 1:00 pm CDT on October 20, click this URL: https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduihpj8iE9ZHcjpsenc2DWQILG41wg0DOr visit http://www.iowalearningfarms.org for the registration link.
Or, join from a dial-in phone line:Dial: 1.312.626.6799 Meeting ID: 914 1198 4892
The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF website so that it can be watched at any time. The archive will be available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/virtual-field-day-archive.
Participants will be eligible for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU). Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live field day.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: From Rump to Runoff: Understanding Antimicrobial Resistance Risks and Mitigation
2022-10-12 12:00
Oct. 12 presentation features Iowa State University Postdoctoral Researcher, Laura Alt discussing antimicrobial resistance in agroecosystems and potential impact on public health
Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Oct. 12 at noon CDT will feature Laura Alt, postdoctoral researcher at Iowa State University. Alt’s PhD research focused on characterizing and quantifying the effect that prairie strips may have on the fate and transport of pollutants moving with surface runoff and drainage water in agricultural watersheds. She is currently conducting research on the impact of agricultural management practices on microbes in the environment.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “From Rump to Runoff: The Transport of Antimicrobial Resistance in Agricultural Ecosystems,” Alt will discuss the characteristics of antimicrobial resistance as a pollutant, its relationship with agricultural production and methods researchers utilize to track antimicrobial resistance within the broader environment. She will highlight the results of three research projects which investigated the role prairie strips play in reducing the movement of antimicrobial resistant contaminants within agroecosystems. In addition, Alt will discuss the relationship between the movement of such contaminants and how they can affect public health.
“The transport of antimicrobial resistant contaminants into food and water chains is one of the world’s most urgent public health issues that links the health of humans, animals and the environment,” said Alt. “Conservation practices such as prairie strips are proving to be viable tools to address these issues by intercepting and degrading manure-associated antibiotic resistance contaminants, thereby inhibiting loss to waterways with a relatively low risk for accumulation of these contaminants in the prairie strip soils.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT Oct. 12:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/webinars
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
10/19: Prashant Jha, Iowa State University
10/26: Matt Nowatzke, Iowa State University
11/2: Adam Schnieders, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
11/9: John McMaine, South Dakota State University

2022 Eastern South Dakota Water Conference
2022-10-12
The 2022 Eastern South Dakota Water Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 12, at the McCrory Gardens Education and Visitor Center (631 22nd Ave., Brookings, SD 57006).
The Eastern South Dakota Water Conference is held annually and features presentations from universities, local, state and federal government agencies, non-profits, and other stakeholder groups. The conference covers the latest strategies and research for water managers and water users on the Northern Great Plains.
This year’s theme is “Phosphorus Loss: Local & Global Challenges.” Although a critical macronutrient for plant growth, phosphorous has been making headlines the past few years as one of the primary causes for blooms of algae and toxin producing cyanobacteria.
Featured speakers:

Paul Fixen, retired senior vice president at International Plant Nutrition Institute
Heidi Peterson, vice president of agricultural research and conservation at the Sand County Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin
Garey Fox, professional engineer, professor and head of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University
Lindsay Pease, assistant professor and extension specialist in Nutrient and Water Management at the University of Minnesota
Chad Penn, research soil chemist at USDA-ARS and adjunct professor at Purdue University

Registration
Online registration will close Wednesday, October 5, at 12:00 p.m. CDT and can be found on the 2022 Eastern South Dakota Water Conference webpage.
Registration for professionals attending the conference is $75. Registration is free to students and the public with the option to purchase lunch for $20. Those who register after the October 5 deadline can register at the door for $150, check or cash only.
For more information or questions, contact John McMaine, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Water Management Engineer at john.mcmaine@sdstate.edu or 605-688-5141.
REGISTER ONLINE

Remote Sensing and Strategic Management of CyanoHABs Across the Nation Webinar
2022-10-05 11:00
Join the Algal Bloom Action Team on October 5th as they host a webinar discussing Remote Sensing and Strategic Management of CyanoHABs Across the Nation.
Presenters Gregory LeFevre and Corey Markfort from the University of Iowa will present on their exploration of complex HABs mixtures and mid-range remote sensing in Iowa lakes. Jennifer Graham from the USGS New York Water Science Center will share structured decision-making research around cyanoHABs management in New York state parks.
The webinar will begin at 11:00 AM CT/12:00 PM ET. The webinar is free, but registration is required.
Registration here.

Iowa Water Conference September 28-29, 2022, Dubuque, Iowa
2022-09-28 - 2022-09-29
Our Watershed Moment, Building Communities for Conservation
The 16th annual Iowa Water Conference will be held on September 28-29, 2022 in Dubuque Iowa. We all live in a watershed; each watershed has one common resource – its water. The Mississippi River and its watershed are the foundation for a large, diverse community that affects the use and resilience of many of this country’s natural resources. Individuals and communities throughout the region have stories to tell. How does water impact them? How are they innovating to increase resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change?
The conference will emphasize the historical influence the river has had on neighboring communities, agriculture, recreation, and ecology, as well as examine the roles Iowa and other neighboring states have in protecting it. This year’s theme emphasizes the importance that watershed citizenship has in making strides towards improving soil health and water quality goals in our communities, in our watersheds, and in the larger region – The Mississippi River Basin.
At the Iowa Water Conference, sharing these stories will connect us through shared experiences within the river basin. We hope you join us for these timely discussions in Dubuque as we come together to explore the value of water in our watershed community.
The Iowa Water Conference is IWC’s largest outreach and collaboration effort with a dozen planning partners.
The conference is designed to bring together multi-disciplinary organizations and institutions to discuss relevant water issues in Iowa. The inaugural event in 2006 combined several existing conferences with the purpose of coordinating research and management efforts. Today’s conference draws over 400 attendees and still strives to encompass the whole of Iowa’s water landscape including expanding into realms of education and outreach, conservation, policy, and regulations.

Iowa’s premiere stormwater conference & exhibition
2022-09-15 - 2022-09-16
Join us on September 15-16, 2022 at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, IA for a chance to network with other stormwater professionals. Read more about our COVID safety measure here.

Registration is now open for Sponsors and Exhibitors

The past few years our virtual conferences were a great success…primarily because of your support.

Because we’re back to an in person conference this year, we want to boost your ROI. Here are some of the benefits you can expect:

The exhibit hall is centrally located to session breaks, breakfast, lunch, and the awards ceremony where attendees gather to network. If you are a part of the stormwater industry there is no better place to maximize your company’s exposure!
See your company logo displayed on all printed and digital marketing materials (conference webpage, social media, conference program, flyers, etc.)
Sponsors are provided a complimentary exhibit both and registration to the conference.

We are offering various sponsorship levels for the conference. Learn more about sponsorship benefits here.

Your support for Iowa’s stormwater programs and clean water is appreciated. Thank you for your interest in the IStorm 2022 Conference!

P.S. Early bird registration for the public begins June 1. Take advantage of our early marketing effort and get your company logo seen as much as possible by registering now. Click here to RSVP for a booth!

Webinar: Helping Communities Prepare for Extreme Weather
2022-09-14 14:00
Sep 14, 2022 02:00 PM in Central Time (US and Canada)

As the climate continues to change, extreme weather events are becoming more commonplace. Tune into this edition of The Current as we explore different tools and approaches to creating community resilience – through hazard mitigation, natural infrastructure, and evaluating and communicating flood risk.

North Central Region Water Network

Register here.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Maximize Agronomic and Environmental Outcomes through Improved Manure Management
2022-09-14 12:00
Sep. 14 presentation features Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agricultural engineer, Brian Dougherty discussing manure application practices
Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Sep. 14 at noon CDT will feature Brian Dougherty, field agricultural engineer, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Dougherty’s research and outreach focuses on the effects of cropping systems and management practices on soil health and water quality.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Improving Manure Management to Maximize Agronomic and Environmental Outcomes,” Dougherty will discuss the results from a 5-year study that assessed the effect of manure application timing, fall cereal rye cover crops and utilization of nitrification inhibitors on water quality and crop yields. He will also explore some best management practices in relation to maximizing the value of manure nutrients while minimizing environmental losses.
“As we approach harvest season for most row crops, planning for fall cover crop establishment and fall or winter manure application should be underway now,” said Dougherty. “This is the time to review the latest research on application timing, use of nitrification inhibitors and practices that will keep nutrients in the fields where they deliver the most value. I am hopeful that participants in this webinar will gain in their appreciation for the impacts management decisions regarding manure application timing will have on agronomic and environmental outcomes.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT Sep. 14:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
9/21: Trisha Moore, Kansas State University
9/28: D. Raj Raman, Iowa State University
10/5: Vinayak Shedekar, Ohio State University
10/12: Laura Alt, Iowa State University

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar: Species Selection for Bioreactor Woodchip Media Affects Denitrification Performance
2022-08-31 12:00
Aug. 31 presentation features Iowa State University assistant professor and extension forestry specialist, Billy Beck discussing woodchip selection for bioreactors
Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Aug. 31 at noon CDT will feature Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State University. Beck’s research and extension activities focus on utilizing tree and forest resources to address water quality and quantity issues in the agricultural Midwest.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Woodchips and Water Quality: Can Select Tree Species Enhance Performance of Denitrifying Woodchip Bioreactors?,” Beck will present the results from a study that investigated the impact of select woodchip species in lab-scale denitrifying bioreactors. He will also discuss current practices whereby bioreactors often utilize woodchip media of unknown species composition that frequently leads to poor and unpredictable nitrate removal performance. Drawing on the study results, Beck will highlight how utilization of select species may promote sustainable forest management statewide by encouraging on-farm or local production of species needed to deliver the best denitrification performance of bioreactors.
“Every species of tree has a unique combination of ‘extractives’ such as tannins, oils and resins, and we are learning that woodchips from some perform better than others for nitrate removal in bioreactors,” said Beck. “Utilization of bioreactor media, grown on-farm through sustainable forestry practices, may enhance water quality AND add value to the overall agricultural enterprise through leveraging the largely untapped potential of trees, forests and forestry on farms.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT Aug. 31:
Click this URL, 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

Or, join from a dial-in phone line:
Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172

The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
9/7: Emily Waring Ph.D., Iowa State University Alumnus
9/14: Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
9/21: Trisha Moore, Kansas State University

11th International Drainage Symposium
2022-08-30 08:00 - 2022-09-02 17:00 | Des Moines, Iowa
As a leader in edge-of-field conservation practice adoption, the Soil and Water Conservation Society is partnering with the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) to help bring you the 11th International Drainage Symposium, to be held in Des Moines, Iowa, August 30-September 2, 2022.
Two days of sessions will highlight drainage research, practice design, implementation, and policy. The third day of the symposium will feature field tours highlighting some of the innovative drainage work happening in the local area. The challenge of increasing agricultural production on the world’s poorly drained soils in a changing climate, with ever-increasing water quality and quantity concerns, will require technical, economic, policy, and social perspectives. The symposium will provide an opportunity for the research, agency, industry, and practitioner communities to interact, share experiences, and address emerging issues related to agricultural drainage.
Visit www.swcs.org/22IDS for more information, or to submit your abstract. Also available are details regarding exhibitor and sponsor opportunities and a draft agenda-at-a-glance.

Climate Webinar: Managing Water and Nutrients in a Changing Climate
2022-08-29 13:00
Managing nutrients and water in a changing climate: Thoughts from an agronomist in the land of 10,000 lakes
This coming Monday, August 29, 2022 at 1PM CST
In the middle of the North American continent, Minnesota sits in an interesting and dynamic climatic region. At the edge of the humid-to-dry climate transition, and with long, harsh winters that are warming faster than almost anywhere else in the United States, it faces some unique challenges and opportunities as the climate changes. In this webinar, University of Minnesota Extension Educator Greg Klinger discusses some of these potential challenges related to agricultural management of water and nutrients.
Register here.

Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day to be Held at LICA Farm Near Melbourne August 25
2022-08-25 10:30 - 12:30
Iowa Learning Farms, Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA), will host a cover crop and soil health field day Thursday, August 25 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the LICA Farm near Melbourne. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

Cover crops continue to gain popularity in Iowa due to their many benefits 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. This field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing cover crops and maintaining yields during the transition to a higher residue system of no-tillage and cover crops.

Fayette County Farmer Loran Steinlage has been experimenting with different cover crop species on his farm over the past few years utilizing the longer establishment window provided by harvesting winter cereal rye for seed. He also has experience with companion/relay no-till cropping and currently produces corn, soybeans, cereal rye, winter wheat, malt barley and buckwheat. Attendees will be able to hear from Loran about what he found works and what doesn’t and ask questions. Marshall County NRCS will offer some hands-on soil health demonstrations that farmers can utilize in their own fields. Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist, will share results from on-farm cover crop demonstration trials and best practices for establishing and managing your cover crops.

The field day be held at the LICA Farm located at 1723 290th St, Melbourne, IA 50162 and will be held rain or shine. The farm is located on the north 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.
