Three-day program offers instruction on how to properly drain soils for maximum crop production with modern methods and equipment









AMES, Iowa – The Agricultural Engineering team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will hold the Iowa Drainage School Aug. 25–27 at the Northwest Research Farm, located at 6320 500th Street, Sutherland, Iowa. The three-day program will focus on the design, installation and maintenance of drainage systems.

“Drainage is needed for improving the productivity of soils in Iowa and most U.S. states,” said Kris Kohl, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Drainage is a great land improvement practice with long-term payback by increasing the crop yields by 5% to 30%.”

The school features classroom lectures and discussions combined with team problem-solving and field exercises. Student teams will survey and design a drainage system for a sample area of the host farm using concepts learned during classroom discussions. By attending this school, participants will be able to plan and lay out subsurface drainage systems and work out project costs. In-field demonstrations of equipment and drainage tile installation will also take place.

“Iowa Drainage School provides educational opportunities for all interested in drainage, whether they are contractors, farmers, consulting engineers, county officials or others,” said Matt Helmers, professor and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State. “The school focuses on the fundamentals of drainage design, including getting an accurate survey, drainage pipe size and spacing, controlled drainage and water table management, legal considerations and different installation techniques and equipment.”

Drainage contractors, professional engineers and consultants, Natural Resources Conservation Service professionals, watershed coordinators, county administrators, landowners, drainage district officials and anyone interested in subsurface drainage design and maintenance are encouraged to participate.

Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. Registration is $500 per person if registered by midnight on Aug. 17; registrations will not be accepted after that time. Registration includes meals indicated on the agenda, refreshments, a course notebook and drainage reference materials.

Additional program information and online registration are available on the website.