(Update 2/23/2023: The event planned for Feb. 22 in West Union has been rescheduled for March 28, due to inclement weather.)
The original news release, below, was published Jan. 17, 2023.
Cover Crop Workshop Series to Be Held in February
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Consortium for Cultivating Human And Naturally reGenerative Enterprises (C-CHANGE), will host cover crop workshops on Feb. 1, 14, 21 and 22 from noon to 2 p.m each day. Farmers and landowners are welcome to attend the free events, which include a complimentary meal.
Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased organic matter in the soil and forage potential for livestock. When paired with no-tillage or strip-tillage, additional benefits include increased water infiltration to further reduce erosion during heavy rain events. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about these opportunities, ask questions and share their experiences.
The discussion will be facilitated by Jacqueline Comito, Iowa Learning Farms program director; Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director; Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; and Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist.
Wednesday, Feb. 1, noon to 2 p.m.
Bridge View Center
120 Church Street, Ottumwa
Catering by Bridge View Center
Tuesday, Feb. 14, noon to 2 p.m.
ISU Extension and Outreach Sioux County Office – Basement Room
400 Central Ave. NW, Suite 700, Orange City
Catering by Nederlander’s Grill
Tuesday, Feb. 21, noon to 2 p.m.
Walnut Community Center - Community Room
415 Antique City Drive, Walnut
Catering by Karol Calabro of a bit of IOWA
Wednesday, Feb. 22, noon to 2 p.m. (RESCHEDULED to March 28)
West Union Event Center
10201 Harding Road, West Union
Catering by West Union Event Center
The events are free and open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu. Attendees will be entered in a drawing that evening for Iowa State University Prairie Strips honey.
Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and this project is supported by USDA NIFA award 2020-68012-31824. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.
Shareable photo: Cover crops in snow.
