AMES, Iowa — Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Corn Promotion Board, will host a cover crop and wetland field day near Gilmore City Wednesday, Aug. 30. The event will be held at the ISU Drainage Research and Demonstration Project site, owned by the Pocahontas Soil and Water Conservation District, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will begin with a complimentary dinner.
The field day will feature Bob and Jay Lynch, Humboldt County farmers. Together the father and son have incorporated many conservation practices into management of their Century Farm. After adopting a no-till and strip-till system over seven years ago, the duo has continued to look for ways to protect their soil and its health. In 2012, they choose to seed cover crops on about 140 acres of prevented-plant land. After seeing the benefits, cereal rye cover crops have been an essential tool in the Lynch farming operation. They will share their experiences with the practices and tips for making a no-till/strip-till and cover crop system work.
Matt Helmers, Ag and Biosystems professor and extension ag engineer with Iowa State University, will share results from the over twenty-five years of research collected at the drainage site. Local watershed coordinators, Lee Gravel with North Raccoon Watershed and Jordan Kolarik with Boone River Watershed, will share project updates and opportunities to get involved. The field day will conclude at a nearby nitrate removal wetland with William Crumpton, Iowa State environmental science professor and wetland ecology specialist.
To reach the ISU Drainage Research and Demonstration site from Gilmore City, go two miles west on Highway 3, then one mile north on 320th Avenue, and then one-half mile west on 510th Street.
The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
PHOTO CREDIT: Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University