AMES, Iowa – Crops grown and livestock raised in Iowa reach across the globe, feeding our state, nation and global community.
2019 National Ag Day, March 14, celebrates these farmers, highlighting their contributions to agriculture in our everyday lives. This year’s theme is “Agriculture: Food for Life” and will be celebrated with events across the country.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is committed to helping farmers grow more sustainable and profitable enterprises through objective, scientific solutions to the issues and opportunities unique to agriculture in Iowa.
“Our work doesn’t end at the farm gate, there is a depth and breadth to what we do as we work to improve the lives of all Iowans,” said Jay Harmon, interim director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension and Outreach at Iowa State.
During 2018 ISU Extension and Outreach:
- Donated over 90,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to food pantries across the state through the Master Gardener program.
- Educated 5,628 beef producers through the Iowa Beef Center’s Beef Quality Assurance program.
- Provided over $14 million in cost savings and profit increases to nearly 900 participants at the Integrated Crop Management Conference.
- Informed 257 farmers in southeast Iowa of best practices for safely feeding their corn crop during severe drought in that area.
- Trained 70 watershed coordinators to increase knowledge about water quality practices like constructed wetlands, saturated buffers, bioreactors, prairie strips and cover crops.
- Facilitated 89 farmland leasing programs that reached 1,597 landowners, tenants, ag lenders and professional farm managers on new trends related to land and leasing.
“Not only are we invested in helping farmers decide what crops to grow and how to run their business, but we want to make our communities better places and the people who live there healthier and happier,” Harmon said.
To learn more about ISU Extension and Outreach, contact an ISU Extension and Outreach specialist or visit the ISU Extension Store.