Rainfall Simulator
If you are interested in having the simulator at your event, complete the Rainfall Simulator Form and return it to the Iowa Learning Farm staff.
Researchers involved with the Iowa Learning Farm project have developed a portable rainfall simulator to demonstrate what happens to the land when it rains. The simulator’s oscillating nozzle simultaneously distributes rainfall on five different surfaces. The runoff from these different scenarios is collected in glass jars so one can see the results. For example, the rainfall simulator can highlight how keeping various amounts of residue on the land surface can reduce sediment loss, or how grass buffers can be effective, or how much runoff occurs from an urban parking lot.
The rainfall simulator can be demonstrated at county fairs, conferences, field days, youth events and conservation meetings.
Iowa Learning Farm's rainfall simulator is scheduled to be at these events in 2009. Check back often as dates are added frequently.
| April 18 | VEISHEA, Ames |
| April 22-23 | Edgewood-Colesburg Community Schools Outdoor Classroom |
| April 28-May 7 | Agriculture and Environment Days, Eagle Grove |
| May 8 | Fremont SWCD 5th Grade Outdoor Classroom, Waubonsie State Park |
| May 12 | NRCS/SWCD Outdoor Classroom, Buena Vista County Conservation Park, Peterson |
| May 13 | NRCS/SWCD Outdoor Classroom, Clay Co., Kindlespire County Park, Webb |
| May 14 | Iowa Children's Water Festival, DMACC, Ankeny |
| June 6 | Downtown Farmers Market, Des Moines |
| June 11 | Woodbury County Cover Crop Field Day |
| June 17 | ILF Field Day, Gordon Hunter farm, Decorah, 11 a.m. |
| June 18 | ISU Northeast Research Farm Field Day, Nashua |
| June 24 | Jefferson County Fair, Fairfield |
| July 7-9 | Winneshiek County Fair, Decorah |
| July 10 | Winnebago County Fair, Thompson |
| July 18 | Cedar Rapids Farmers' Market, 7 am-noon |
| July 22 | NRCS-CDI Conservation Tent, RAGBRAI, Warren or Lucas County |
| July 23 | ILF and SWCD Field Day, Max Schmidt farm, Howard County |
| July 28 | Johnson County Fair, Iowa City |
| July 29 | ILF/PFI Joint Field Day, Fred Abels farm, Holland |
| July 31 | Des Moines County Fair, West Burlington |
| August 6 | Clayton County Fair, Garnavillo |
| August 30 | Polk County Conservation Pelican Festival, Jester Park, Granger |