Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Lower Skunk River Water Quality Initiative Project and Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development, will host a cover crop workshop in Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, Feb. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.

The workshop aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops.

“Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies and increased organic matter in the soil,” said Liz Ripley, conservation and cover crop outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms.  “When paired with no-till, additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events.”

The workshop will feature a farmer panel of local cover crop users who will share their recommendations for getting started and sticking with cover crops. The agenda will also include Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service soil health specialist J.D. Hollingsworth and area resource soil scientist Jason Steele. They will share their experiences with cover crops and no-till as farmers and discuss the impacts of cover crops on soil health. Ripley will also share best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops successfully based on research conducted on farms throughout the state.

The field day will be held at the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Henry County office, located at 127 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. The event is open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by Feb. 12. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit the Iowa Learning Farms website.

About Iowa Learning Farms

Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and GROWMARK Inc.