No Till and Soil Health Field Day Near Badger

By Andi Anderson

Farmers and landowners are invited to join the No-Till and Soil Health Field Day, hosted by Iowa Learning Farms on Tuesday, November 25, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Badger Community Center.

The event is free to attend and includes a complimentary meal, offering an excellent opportunity for participants to learn about soil conservation, residue management, and sustainable farming practices.

The field day will highlight the benefits of no-till farming and the role it plays in improving soil health. Local farmer Mark Thompson, who has practiced no-till soybean farming since 2002 and recently transitioned to no-till corn, will share his insights.

He will discuss practical aspects of equipment adjustments, residue handling, and timing of operations that make no-till systems effective.

“At first, it was an economics thing, then I found out that conservation, nutrient management and erosion control came along with it,” said Thompson. “If you’ve never tried no-till, try no-till beans—you’ll be surprised how well it works.”

Attendees will also hear from Angie Rieck-Hinz, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, who will discuss residue management in no-till systems.

In addition, Doug Adams, a Humboldt County farmer, will share his experience using cover crops, no-till, and strip-till methods to enhance soil structure and reduce erosion. Weather permitting, the field day will include a guided tour to observe conservation practices in action.

The event will take place at 211 1st Ave SE, Badger, and advance reservations are required. To RSVP or request accommodations, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by November 18. Attendees will be entered into a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Learning Farms continues to educate and empower producers through field days and workshops. More details are available on the Iowa Learning Farms website.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock