By Andi Anderson
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University, will host two educational workshops in February focused on woodland management and water quality improvement.
These free events are designed for farmers and landowners who want practical solutions that support conservation while maintaining productive and profitable land use. Each workshop also includes a complimentary meal for participants.
The workshops will explain how woodland management practices can work together with woodchip bioreactors to reduce nitrate levels in water. Nitrate loss from agricultural land is a major water quality concern.
By combining responsible woodland management with bioreactor technology, landowners can help protect local waterways while making better use of available natural resources.
The sessions will be led by Iowa State University experts with strong backgrounds in forestry, engineering, and conservation research.
Presenters will explain how low value timber species can be used in woodchip bioreactors, turning underused woodland materials into tools that support statewide water quality goals.
This approach benefits both landowners and the environment by linking forest management decisions with water protection efforts.
These workshops are part of a research and demonstration project supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The project explores innovative ways to meet conservation goals while supporting landowner needs.
Additional support for these events comes from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Two workshop dates and locations are scheduled. The first will be held on February 17 at the Grundy Center Community Center in Grundy Center, Iowa, from noon to 2 p.m. The second workshop will take place on February 24 at the Musser Public Library in Muscatine, Iowa, also from noon to 2 p.m.
Attendance is open to farmers and landowners, but reservations are required to ensure enough space and food. Participants will also be entered into a drawing for Iowa State University Prairie Strips honey.
Those needing accommodations or wishing to reserve a seat are encouraged to register in advance.
Through these workshops, Iowa Learning Farms continues its mission to promote conservation practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining practical and economically sound for Iowa landowners.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: Iowa, Education