Whether you are a new acreage owner or have enjoyed a lifetime in the country, chances are you are one of the many acreage landowners who have never heard of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. While we help farmers with larger scale conservation issues and livestock management concerns, many of the same principles can be applied at the acreage level.
We often receive questions at CALT about Iowa fence law and the obligations it imposes on landowners. This article provides a brief overview of Iowa Code § 359A. Although fences located fully within the boundaries of a city are subject to municipal law, it is important to note that Iowa fence law applies whether or not farming is conducted on the land.
At this stage of winter, trees on Iowa’s landscape are still months from blooming and providing shade, which makes this the prime time of the year to give trees a tune-up with pruning. Using proper pruning techniques avoids harming trees. Here are some tips from horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on the proper way to prune trees in winter.
Even the smallest timber stands or neglected pasture on an acreage can include unwanted brush. Management of the brush can be time-consuming, expensive and include chemicals which include restrictions, environmental concerns, etc. Some rural residents are utilizing a biological control method for brush – goats!
Benefits of starting your vegetables from transplants are many and include: early start, uniform crop growth, and healthy root system.
All of us note the seasonal events that to some extent chronicle each passing year. It can actually be a fun family and personally fulfilling exercise to chronicle our passage by composing a formal naturalist’s journal and outdoor calendar. You may even want to scrapbook it with photos, notes and collected items.
Elderberry grows wild throughout the eastern United States, as well as the Midwest, and can be seen along roadsides and rivers. It thrives in moist areas and can be grown in riparian situations. Elderberry is also referred to as a "superfruit' due to its high level of antioxidants and associated health benefits.
Today farmers can easily invest over $200,000 in a single tractor or combine. Are there any alternatives? Although most farmers own their own machinery, options such as custom hiring, renting and leasing are also popular.
Obtaining enough capital to pursue a career in production agriculture can be challenging, but the Iowa Agricultural Development Division (IADD) has programs designed to assist Iowa beginning farmers in overcoming these obstacles.
