There were three field days announced during the week of August 2. For details about these and six more field days, visit here.

Recently Announced 

August 6 | Fall Field Day

Cattle producers, farmers and farm businesses in south central Iowa will learn about the latest crop production and grazing research and trends during the fall field day at Iowa State University’s McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm Aug. 6. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. and the field day starts at 5 p.m., with a free meal provided by the Lucas County Cattlemen, followed by a “Farm and Projects Update” by the research farm staff. The evening tour is free and open to the public.

August 22 | Cover Crop and Conservation Leasing Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Wildlife Foundation, will host a cover crops and conservation leases field day on Thursday, August 22 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Ken Fawcett’s farm near West Branch. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. Please RSVP to Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.

August 28 | Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Field Day

Farmers who are wondering what the wet spring will mean for the rest of the growing season and fall harvest will get some professional insight during Iowa State University’s Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm Field Day Aug. 28 in Boone. This year’s event will feature topics related to the challenging growing season, with opportunities for visitors to see equipment in action, and learn about different ways to mitigate soil compaction.Iowa State’s Ag Engineering and Agronomy Farm is located at 1308 U Ave. Boone, IA 50036. For more information, visit the research farm online, or contact Meaghan Anderson at 515-382-6551 or mjanders@iastate.edu.

Upcoming  

August 6 | Soil Health Smorgasbord for Farmers + Family Learning Event 

This hands-on field day will occur in two phases. From 2-5 p.m., farmers and producers will learn about soil health principles, including strip-tillage, grazing cover crops and interseeding in 60-inch rows. The community is invited to join in for a meal at 5 p.m. Afterwards, children and parents can visit various stations on the farm to learn about steps local farmers are taking to protect water quality and soil health. 

August 6 | Cover Crop Field Day

The Lower Skunk River Water Quality Initiative is hosting a cover crop field day on August 6 from 5-7 pm at Morris Park near Baxter. Jason Steele, soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Patrick Wall, grazing specialist with ISU Extension, will discuss the economic advantages of using cover crops in your farming operation and how soil health affects your bottom line. Supper is provided by Iowa Corn. To RSVP please contact Miranda Haes at 319-385-2824 or miranda.haes@ia.nacdnet.net. Click here for more information.

August 8 | Bioreactor, Saturated Buffer and Oxbow Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms, will host a conservation practice showcase field day on Thursday, August 8th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Iowa State University Uthe Farm near Madrid. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal. The field day will begin with the meal and an opportunity to visit the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station On The Edge trailer. Following the meal, attendees will have the opportunity to tour four conservation practices installed at the farm. The stops will include a saturated buffer with Tom Isenhart, ISU Natural Resource Ecology and Management Professor, bioreactor with Michelle Soupir, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Associate Professor, and Natasha Hoover, ISU Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Research Associate, oxbow wetland with Adam Janke, ISU Natural Resource Ecology and Management Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist, and Sean McCoy, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Environmental Specialist, and a pollinator habitat demonstration with Seth Appelgate, ISU Monarch Research Team. The event is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Please RSVP to Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.