Events and Activities : SE Iowa Research farm to celebrate 25th anniversary with June 21 event

The Iowa State University Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville will be celebrating its 25th anniversary beginning at noon, June 21, with free lunch and a program. The farm was established in 1987 with the purchase of a 198-acre tract of land by the SE IA Agricultural Research Association. This association, representing nearly 2,000 members in 22 counties, advises scientists on current ag research and demonstration activities. In 2002, an additional 76 acres was added to the farm by the association.

Lunch will be followed by a panel of speakers who will review 25 years of research on the farm. The panel of speakers will include: Matt Helmers and Stu Melvin, ISU Extension ag engineers, discussing drainage research; Kendall Lamkey, Agronomy Department Chair, and Bernie Havlovic, original superintendent of the farm, on crop productivity; Greg Brenneman and Mark Hanna, ISU Extension ag engineers on tillage research; and Antonio Mallarino and John Sawyer, ISU Extension soil fertility specialists, recapping soil fertility studies. The celebration will conclude with the keynote presentation from 2:15-3:00 p.m.on “The Future of Agriculture in Iowa” by Neil Harl, ISU Professor Emeritus.

Also on hand for the celebration will be Wendy Wintersteen, ISU Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cathann Kress, Vice-President for ISU Extension and Outreach, and John Lawrence, ISU Associate Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition, research displays and field plots highlighting most of the crops ever grown on the farm can be viewed.

Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) continuing education credits will be available for attending the event. Those wishing to obtain additional CCA credits can come at 8:30 a.m.for a morning training session with a focus on soil & water conservation. The credit fee for Certified Crop Advisors is $50.00 (or $25 for the afternoon only). Those planning to attend the morning CCA session must pre-register by June 20 by calling the Johnson County Extension Office at 319-337-2145.

There is no fee or pre-registration fee for the public to attend the afternoon event and everyone is welcome. To reach the farm, follow U.S. Highway 218 one and three quarters miles south of Crawfordsville, then two miles east on county road G-62, then three quarters mile north. Signs will be posted to guide you to the event.