Business : Iowa Learning Farms hosts cover crop field day in Amana

Iowa Learning Farms, along with Practical Farmers of Iowa, will host a cover crops field day at the Iowa Artists Theatre Company in Amana, on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The event will focus on cover crops for soil health as part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. The field day includes discussion with Amana Farm manager John McGrath, Washington County farmer Steve Berger, and Monroe County farmer Wade Dooley, who are all using cover crops on their acres. Dooley will also share his experiences with grazing on cover crops. Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Midwest Cover Crops Research Coordinator Sarah Carlson will talk about how cover crops work to reduce erosion as a part of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Rose Danaher with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide updates on the Price Creek Watershed Project as well as cost share opportunities for cover crops. The field day will be held at the Iowa Artists Theatre Company, 2709 220th Trail, Amana. Presentations, discussion and a complimentary lunch will be at the Theatre. After lunch, weather permitting, there will be an opportunity to view cover crops on farms in the Price Creek Watershed. From the Amana Colonies exit from I-80, go north on highway 151 approximately six miles to the intersection with Highway 6 (Grand Army Highway). Turn right (east), keep following highway 151 to Amana. In Amana, turn right onto 220th Trail. The Theatre is on the east end of town. Founded in 1985, Practical Farmers of Iowa is an open, supportive and diverse organization of farmers and friends of farmers, advancing profitable, ecologically sound and community-enhancing approaches to agriculture through farmer-to-farmer networking, farmer-led investigation and information sharing. Farmers in our network produce corn, soybeans, beef cattle, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. For additional information, call (515) 232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org. 219A Davidson Hall Ames, Iowa 50011-1010 515-294-8912 www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf Iowa Learning Farms takes a grassroots approach offering innovative ways to help all Iowans have an active role in keeping our state’s natural resources healthy and not take them for granted. A goal of Iowa Learning Farms is to build a Culture of Conservation, encouraging the adoption of residue management and conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best in-field management practices that increase water and soil quality while remaining profitable. For more information, go to: www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf. Iowa Learning Farms is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319); in cooperation with Conservation Districts of Iowa, the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Water Center.