Washington County farmer partner Steve Berger shared this photo of his cereal rye cover crop. The photo was taken after a 3-inch rain on Saturday, April 14.

Sarah Carlson (left) talks with the group at the Joe Kriegel farm near Malcom on March 27 at the ILF/PFI cover crop field day.

According to follow up ILF evalutions, there were cover crops on 4,348 new acres in Iowa in 2011. 

The group attending the ILF/PFI cover crop field day at the ISU Armstsrong Research Farm in Pottawattamie County gathers at the edge of the winter rye test plot.

Attendees at the ILF/PFI cover crop field day at the ISU Southeast Research farm in Washington County check on the growth of the winter rye cover crop. The mild winter and early spring provided optimal growth for the grass, which builds soil organic matter and protects the soil from erosion.

Fourth graders in all Warren county schools were visited by SWCD commissioner and ILF farmer partner Harold (above) and Kay Whipple along with ILF team members Ann Staudt and Nathan Stevenson. The kids learned about prairies, wetlands and croplands: how each function and their importance to soil and water quality.