Iowa State Study Shows Soil-Building Benefits of Organic Practices
(Posted on 5/23/2013)
Producers making the switch to organic crops to meet growing market demand not only fetch premium prices, according to a recent study; they also build healthy soil and sequester carbon, making organic agriculture a useful strategy for dealing with climate change.

Farming Practices to Minimize Ill Effects on Bees and Other Pollinators
(Posted on 5/13/2013)
Farmers being observant with seed treatments at planting and pesticide applications during the growing season could minimize ill effects on bee populations, according to Iowa State University entomologists.

Webinar Features State Revolving Fund and Water Quality
(Posted on 5/10/2013)
Tony Toigo and Patti Cale-Finnegan will discuss Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Projects during the Iowa Learning Farms’ webinar Wednesday, May 15, at 11:30 a.m..

Iowans Can Sign Up for Remaining Eco Family Conference Sessions
(Posted on 4/30/2013)
There is still time to register for the remaining Eco Family Virtual Conference sessions.

Conservation Professionals Invited to South Dakota CRP Workshops June 17-18
(Posted on 4/22/2013)
The Conservation Reserve Program Readiness Initiative is offering a pair of workshops on CRP topics. The first workshop on wildlife habitat development will be June 17 and the second course on CRP mid-contract management will be June 18.

ISU Extension and Outreach has Emergency Water Storage and Flood Recovery Information
(Posted on 4/18/2013)
Iowans preparing for and recovering from both natural disasters -- drought and flooding -- have easy access to information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Public Information Meetings for Gypsy Moth Management Scheduled in Northeast Iowa
(Posted on 4/1/2013)
The Iowa Gypsy Moth Management Team will conduct public meetings in northeastern Iowa on April 16 and April 17 to discuss gypsy moth management actions for summer 2013. The meetings are free and open to the public.

Elkader Cover Crop Workshop Hosted by Iowa Learning Farms
(Posted on 3/21/2013)
Iowa Learning Farms will host a workshop, along with Practical Farmers of Iowa, on Thursday April 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Johnson’s Restaurant, Elkader. The workshop will focus on cover crop management for soil health and erosion control. The workshop includes a visit to the Gary Kregel farm near Elkport.

Iowa Learning Farms Cover Crop Workshop at Dordt College
(Posted on 3/21/2013)
Iowa Learning Farms will host a workshop, along with Practical Farmers of Iowa, on Monday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dordt College Agricultural Stewardship Center, near Sioux Center. The workshop will focus on cover crops for erosion control, grazing and soil health.

Iowa State University Study Examines Farmer Use of Conservation Loan Programs
(Posted on 3/14/2013)
To see if nonpoint source loan programs were making a difference, Iowa Clean Water State Revolving Fund staff contacted Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to help conduct an evaluation. Extension sociologist J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr. led the research team and results of the study have been published.