Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and soil health field day as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Seriesâ€� in rural Sumner on Wednesday, June 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.

“Cover crops not only reduce potential impacts of erosion but also play a critical role in maintaining healthy and productive soils. Understanding the effect that cover crops can have on soil health can be challenging, and results take time,â€� said Mitch Harting, water outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms. “This field day will help farmers better understand the benefits that cover crops can have on soil, which can help ensure productive land long into the future.â€�  

The field day will feature Peter O’Brien, research agronomist, and Sabrina Ruis, research soil scientist, with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, who will offer insights into the impact of cover crops on protecting and building healthy soils. The agenda will also include a field tour with Jeff Pleggenkuhle, a local farmer, who will share his experiences and management choices when using cover crops on his farm. Additionally, there will be a demonstration of Iowa Learning Farms’ Conservation Station trailer, which will show soil movement across different land management scenarios.

The field day will be held at the Cheryl Niewoehner Farm, located at 22183 X Avenue, Sumner. The event is open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Harting at 515-294-8912 or ilf@iastate.edu by June 3. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for Iowa State University Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information, visit Iowa Learning Farms.  

About Iowa Learning Farms

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.