This year’s survey focused on a range of issues including changes in quality of life and farm financial well-being, economic and policy dimensions of commodity production, awareness of and interest in prairie strips, farmers’ perspectives on climate change, use of communications technology, and well water testing
This article highlights key provisions from several important Acts within the 5,593 pages of the Consolidated Appropriations Act: the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020, the Economic Aid to the Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofit, and Venues Act, and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020.
Iowans who make and sell foods out of their homes or sell produce at farmers markets need to follow state laws that regulate these practices. The Home-based Food Operators Regulations and Food Safety Course now is available online 24/7 from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Caring for cow herds during the winter can be challenging when it becomes bitterly cold. In general cows are cold tolerant and are comfortable down to 20°F. What are management strategies when temperatures dip below that?
Many commercial growers and home gardeners often confront the issue of Blossom End Rot (BER) in their tomato, pepper, and eggplant. The BER is a physiological disorder caused by a localized calcium deficiency in the blossom-end of the fruit. It is a physiological disorder and is not caused by fungi, bacteria, or any other living disease microorganisms. Also, BER could also be seen on non-solanaceous crops such as pumpkins, squash, and watermelons.
A personal weather station is simply integrated “tools” that measure weather variables such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed and direction, soil moisture, and leaf wetness. Some are affordable enough to install at your own farm which will give the most accurate representation for the weather in your farm.
Iowans can expect next year to be bright and colorful – at least according to the images found within the 2021 Garden Calendar produced by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The annual Iowa Organic Conference will be held virtually this year on Monday, Nov. 23, in keeping with COVID-19 regulations. A half-day of presentations and interactions with industry experts will take the place of the normal meeting.
A recurring challenge every winter in Iowa is keeping the water you use from freezing. Keeping water thawed requires adequate heat to keep the temperature of the water above freezing. The three most common approaches are adding heat with a heating device, insulating to conserve heat, and adding heat by bringing in warmer water.
For audio versions of this article, see the Small Farm Sustainability Podcast where we discuss return bloom, soil sampling, and interpreting soil reports over three separate podcast. The following discussion represents a snapshot in time as a lot can happen between now and next spring.
