Cover crop field day to be held near Luana November 29

Iowa Learning Farms, along with the Clayton County Soil and Water Conservation District, will host a cover crop field day Thursday, November 29 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Luana Savings Bank. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.

Farmers across Iowa are implementing cover crops to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, limit nitrogen losses, and to provide a source of forage for grazing. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from local farmers about the benefits of cover crops, choosing seed varieties, innovative application methods, best management practices and opportunities for cost share.

The field day will begin with a panel discussion featuring Clayton County farmers Brian Keehner, Dan Keehner and Mark Glawe. Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms conservation outreach specialist, will then share results from cover crop projects examining species selection, water quality implications, and soil health indicators. NRCS Area Agronomist Neil Sass will review methods to evaluate cover crop stands and discuss how cover crops impact soil health.

Project Coordinator Eric Palas will discuss cost share opportunities for cover crops in Clayton County. Weather permitting, there will be a short tour to compare cover crop seeding methods following the program.

The field day will be held at the Luana Savings Bank, located at 100 Harvest Drive. 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.
For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.

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, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319).