Conservation field day in Cedar Rapids set for Aug 8

By Andi Anderson

Crop farmers and anyone involved with on-farm conservation practices will get an in-person demonstration of the latest conservation efforts in Iowa during a special field day on August 8 in Cedar Rapids.

Agronomists from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are partnering with Cargill to host this half-day event at Kirkwood Community College.

Presentations will focus on current conservation practices implemented by Iowa farmers and future options.

“We want to show how farmers have overcome some of the challenges of implementing in-field conservation practices, the impact they can have on our soils, and also look at the return on investment these practices can have over time,” said Rebecca Vittetoe, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “In addition to session speakers, we have a panel of farmers who will speak about their own experiences in various landscapes and soils across Iowa.”

The event will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with registration and check-in, followed by an official welcome address at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served around noon, and the day will conclude at 1:30 p.m. after presentations by a panel of farmers engaged in conservation.

Session topics will include cover crop seeding, discussed by Mark Licht, extension cropping systems specialist; the impact of conservation practices on soils, presented by Lee Burras, Morrill Professor in agronomy at Iowa State University; and successful strip-till practices, covered by Ben Covington, agricultural and biosystems engineering program specialist.

Participants will also receive an update on Cargill RegenConnect, the brand’s regenerative effort to promote sustainability and environmental outcomes within agriculture. The panel discussion after lunch will offer insights into how farmers started with conservation and what they have learned along the way.

To attend, register online via the event registration page here. Attendees are encouraged to register at least a week in advance to help with planning materials and lunch.

The field day will be held at Kirkwood Community College in Washington Hall, located at 7225 Washington View Parkway SW, Cedar Rapids.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university