Elkader Cover Crop Workshop Hosted by Iowa Learning Farms

AMES, IOWA—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.

Tom Kaspar, research agronomist with the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, will present at the workshop and farmer host Gary Kregel will share his experiences using cover crops for soil health and grazing. Arlington area farm Tim Recker will talk about his experiences using cover crops after seed corn. Clayton County NRCS field staff will provide information on cost-share opportunities.

The event is free and includes a complimentary lunch. The public is invited to attend, but an RSVP is recommended. To register for this event, please call a county NRCS office: Allamakee, 563-568-2246 ext. 3; Clayton, 563-245-1048; Fayette, 563-422-3868 ext. 3; or Winneshiek, 563-382-4532 ext. 3.

The workshop will be at Johnson’s Restaurant, 916 High Street NE, Elkader. The Gary Kregel farm is at 23346 Grandview Road, Elkport. From Elkader, follow Highway 13 south approximately four miles, turn east on to Grandview Road (Co. Highway X3C) and travel approximately six miles.

Iowa Learning Farms takes a grassroots approach offering innovative ways to help all Iowans have an active role in keeping our state’s natural resources healthy and not take them for granted. A goal of Iowa Learning Farms is to build a Culture of Conservation, encouraging the adoption of residue management and conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best in-field management practices that increase water and soil quality while remaining profitable.

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