Iowa Learning Farms and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting farmer and landowner workshops on Jan. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Tron Scott's farm near Slater, and Jan. 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Jordans Grove Farms near Marion, to discuss bioreactors and saturated buffer edge-of-field practices. The free events are open to farmers and landowners and include a complimentary meal.
The Jan. 19 event is in partnership with Heartland Cooperative and Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition. The Jan. 25 event is in partnership with Heartland Cooperative, the Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition and Indian Creek Soil Health Partnership Project.
Saturated buffers and bioreactors 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 drainage system of the field.
There are now numerous programs with financial and technical assistance available to encourage farmers and landowners to install these critical practices.
Join to learn more about how these practices work through the demonstration of the Conservation on the Edge trailer. Ruth McCabe, conservation agronomist with Heartland Cooperative, and Keegan Kult, executive director for Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition, will provide information and technical assistance to help decide if they can work on your farmland and discuss possible funding opportunities to assist with installation.
Emery Davis, soil health coordinator for the Indian Creek Soil Health Partnership Project, will be on hand Jan. 25 to provide an update on the project and discuss funding opportunities available to assist with the installation process.
Tron Scott's farm: 3961 NW 158th Ave., Slater. From Slater, head south on 510th Ave./Linn St. for 1 mile and continue on NW 44th St. for 1 more mile. Turn left to head east on NW 158th Ave. The farm is located on the north side of the road.
Jordans Grove Farms: 2818 Jordans Grove Rd, Marion. From Marion, head east on US-151/Old Dubuque Road for 2.5 miles. Turn left to head north on Jordans Grove Road for 1.4 miles. The heated shop will be located on the west side of the road.
The workshops are free and open to farmers and landowners. Space is limited, so 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. Each attendee will receive a Heartland baseball hat and will be entered in a drawing that evening for several door prizes including an insulated cooler, insulated mug and Iowa State 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.
Categories: Iowa, Education