Iowa Learning Farms

With many facets going into soil health, it can be a tough term to define. Words like organic matter, soil structure, and stability are often associated with the topic. As the William T. Frankenberger Professor of Soil Science at Iowa State University, Mike Castellano looks to carbon as an indicator of soil health. In this week’s webinar, How do we Best Define and Promote Soil Health…...

Working to Define Soil Health With many facets going into soil health, it can be a tough term to define. Words like organic matter, soil structure, and stability are often associated with the topic. As the William T. Frankenber…

Join us on January 10, at 12pm CT for a webinar featuring Gabe Johnson, Iowa State University, Graduate Research Assistant

“Managing Saturated Buffers in a Flat Field: Impacts on Flow and Nitrate Load Treatment”

https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA #/registration

Iowa Learning Farms Iowa Learning Farms: Building A Culture of Conservation

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group (CLG), is hosting a free virtual field day on Thursday, January 18 at 1 p.m. CT. Join us for a live discussion with Sara McMillan, professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University, and Karen Wilke, Associate Director of Freshwater at the Nature Conservancy....

Virtual Field Day Jan. 18: Pasturing Oxbows – Optimizing Benefits to the Farm, Water and Wildlife Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group (CLG), is hosting a free virtual field day on Thursday, January 18 at 1 p.m. CT. Join us …

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye 2023! Check out the last webinars of the year and a throwback to one from the past. What Lies Beneath: Impact of a Cereal Rye Cover Crop on Corn Seedling Disease Severity: Dive into research being conducted on different pathogens that can affect corn seedlings. Typically to prevent pathogenic effects, there is a ten-day waiting period between rye termination and corn planting, but that is not always possible....

December 2023 Webinar Rewind So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye 2023! Check out the last webinars of the year and a throwback to one from the past. What Lies Beneath: Impact of a Cereal Rye Cover Crop on Corn Seedling…

January 3 ILF Webinar: Defining and Promoting Soil Health - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355540

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Jan. 3, featuring Mike Castellano, William T. Frankenberger Professor of Soil Science, Iowa State University. Castellano’s research focuses on biogeochemical cycling and transport within the soil as it extends to the atmosphere and subsoil. Working to maximize the productivity, profitability and environmental performance of crop production he employs a systems approach that considers genetics, environment and management....

Defining and Promoting Soil Health Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Jan. 3, featuring Mike Castellano, William T. Frankenberger Professor of Soil Science, Iowa State University. Castellano’s…

Join us on January 3, at 12pm CT for a webinar featuring Mike Castellano, Iowa State University, William T. Frankenberger Professor of Soil Science
“How do we Best Define and Promote Soil Health?”

https://iastate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xtAwWXycQZW8iwtNLz34GA #/registration

2023 is wrapping up but there is still time to watch an Iowa Learning Farms webinar. If you need help narrowing down to a must watch webinar of the year, check out these Staff Picks! Jacqueline Comito and Liz Ripley recommend: May 3, Beaver on the Des Moines Lobe: Impacts on Water Quality and Sediment Transport with Andrew Rupiper, Iowa State University....

ILF Staff Picks: 2023 Webinars 2023 is wrapping up but there is still time to watch an Iowa Learning Farms webinar. If you need help narrowing down to a must watch webinar of the year, check out these Staff Picks! Jacqueline Com…

If you missed tuning in live to the last webinar of the year, don’t worry, you can still watch the recording! Watch Brad J. Jordahl Redlin with the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture discuss the program with over 1,400 certified farms in Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program: Certifying that Minnesota’s Farms and Waters can Prosper Together. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) is a free and voluntary program for landowners and renters....

Minnesota Farmers Improving Water Quality If you missed tuning in live to the last webinar of the year, don’t worry, you can still watch the recording! Watch Brad J. Jordahl Redlin with the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture discuss the progra…

The colder weather and lack of daylight may put a damper on in-person field days, but they haven’t stopped Iowa Learning Farms from hosting them virtually. In partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Conservation Learning Group, ILF recently hosted a free online field day with farmer partner Wendy Johnson. When compared to most Iowa farms, Wendy’s is unique....

Diversifying Iowa Through Food and Fiber The colder weather and lack of daylight may put a damper on in-person field days, but they haven’t stopped Iowa Learning Farms from hosting them virtually. In partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Res…

On behalf of the Iowa Learning Farms team, thank you to all of our hosts, speakers, and partners for a great return to a full field day season. This year, we hosted 30 in-person events and 3 virtual field days! The topics included cover crops, grazing, relay intercropping, diversified agricultural systems, soil health, strip-till/no-till, saturated buffers, bioreactors, wetlands, water quality, perennial vegetation, modified blind inlets, and beaver impacts on water quality....

Thank You for Another Great Year of Field Days! On behalf of the Iowa Learning Farms team, thank you to all of our hosts, speakers, and partners for a great return to a full field day season. This year, we hosted 30 in-person events an…

In 1979, Madison County farmer Dennis McLaughlin became the 5th generation to care for the land that has been a part of his family farm since 1854. Today, he has a 40 head cow/calf herd, grows corn and soybeans, and seeds down terraces and pastures with an alfalfa and grass mix for rotational grazing. Dennis has trialed and implemented a variety of conservation practices over the years all in an effort to restore the soil and stop land degradation. ...

Restoring the Land In 1979, Madison County farmer Dennis McLaughlin became the 5th generation to care for the land that has been a part of his family farm since 1854. Today, he has a 40 head cow/calf herd, grows corn…

December 20 ILF Webinar: Minnesota Water Quality Certification Program for Farms is Making a Difference - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355532

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Dec. 20, featuring Brad J. Jordahl Redlin, program manager, Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP) and Soil Health Financial Assistance Program, Minnesota Department of Agriculture. In addition to his role with the MAWQCP, Jordahl Redlin leads climate projects at the agency like the Climate Smart Farms Project and the Farmers’ Guide to Carbon Markets publication....

Showcasing Minnesota’s Water Quality Certification Program for Farms Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Dec. 20, featuring Brad J. Jordahl Redlin, program manager, Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MA…

Did you know that only 0.1% of Iowa's tall grass prairie remains today? As one of the most altered landscapes in the world, restoring prairie to Iowa's landscape provides critical wildlife habitat and valuable soil and water benefits. Last week's webinar with Laura Jackson of the Tall Grass Prairie Center featured results from recent research projects looking to identify the guiding ideas for the successful establishment of prairie using native Iowa species....

Many Seeds, Many Needs – Tips for Planning and Planting Prairie Did you know that only 0.1% of Iowa’s tall grass prairie remains today? As one of the most altered landscapes in the world, restoring prairie to Iowa’s landscape provides critical wildl…

Conservation Learning Group December 2022: Happy Holidays - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355528

Join us on December 20, at 12pm CT for a webinar featuring Brad J. Jordahl Redlin, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture, Program Manager

“Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program: Certifying that Minnesota’s farms and waters can prosper together”
https://iastate.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_xtAwWxycQZW8iwtNLz34GA

ILF Virtual Field Day TODAY 1pm CT - A Vision for Iowa: Growing Food for People through Diversified Agriculture Systems - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355500

Looking to plan a field day or workshop in 2024? Check out our updated Field Day Toolkit! This Field Day Toolkit is the product of Iowa Learning Farms’ many years of planning and hosting field day events across the state of Iowa. While ILF utilizes many different outreach approaches, the importance of farmer-to-farmer interactions cannot be overstated. Field days do matter!...

Free Iowa Learning Farms Field Day Toolkit Available! Looking to plan a field day or workshop in 2024? Check out our updated Field Day Toolkit! This Field Day Toolkit is the product of Iowa Learning Farms’ many years of planning and hosting field day …

Although agriculture wasn’t always a major part of his life, Iowa Learning Farms farmer partner Lee Tesdell does all he can to create a positive impact on the state. Lee has put great efforts into not only benefiting his 80 acres in Story County, but benefiting those using the water downstream. He also continues to experiment with new opportunities in hopes of diversifying Iowa’s common corn-soybean rotation....

Using Kernza for Conservation Although agriculture wasn’t always a major part of his life, Iowa Learning Farms farmer partner Lee Tesdell does all he can to create a positive impact on the state. Lee has put great efforts into …

December 13 ILF Webinar: Prairie Planting Success - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355520

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Dec. 13, featuring Laura Jackson, director and professor of biology, Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa. Jackson has taught courses in ecology, conservation and restoration ecology for 30 years at UNI while also conducting research on the restoration of biological diversity in agriculture landscapes, and the dynamics of seedling establishment in prairie reconstructions....

Promoting Successful Prairie Plantings Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CST, Wednesday, Dec. 13, featuring Laura Jackson, director and professor of biology, Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa…

ILF Virtual Field Day December 15 - A Vision for Iowa: Growing Food for People through Diversified Agriculture Systems - https://mailchi.mp/iastate/bk4pkpu393-1355496

Finding the perfect time to terminate cereal rye in relation to planting of corn isn’t easy. Factors such as soil temperature, precipitation, and biomass all need to be considered. In ILF’s most recent webinar, “What Lies Beneath: The Impact of a Cereal Rye Cover Crop on Corn Seedling Disease Severity”, Rashelle L. Matthiesen Ph.D. shares her findings across 16 research sites. ...

Effects of Cereal Rye Termination on Corn Seedling Disease Finding the perfect time to terminate cereal rye in relation to planting of corn isn’t easy. Factors such as soil temperature, precipitation, and biomass all need to be considered. In ILF’s most re…

Join us on December 13, at 12pm CT for a webinar featuring Laura Jackson, Director of Tallgrass Prairie Center, University of Northern Iowa Professor.

“Planning and Planting Prairie: Research and On-farm Experience”
https://iastate.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_xtAwWxycQZW8iwtNLz34GA

Registration is now open for the 2024 Midwest Cover Crop Council Annual Meeting and Conference. Held in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 13-14, the annual meeting is an opportunity for farmers, landowners, researchers, and agency partners to gather to share ideas and learn about recent cover crop research. Register today and receive an early registration discount through December 15th. Student registration is free, and students are invited to submit an entry for the poster competition. Learn more about the Midwest Cover Crop Council and the cover crop selector tools by visiting -Liz Ripley

Midwest Cover Crop Council Annual Meeting and Conference – Registration Now Open Registration is now open for the 2024 Midwest Cover Crop Council Annual Meeting and Conference. Held in Indianapolis, Indiana, on February 13-14, the annual meeting is an opportunity for farmers, l…

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group (CLG), is hosting a free virtual field day on Friday, December 15th at 1 p.m. CT. Join us for a live discussion with Wendy Johnson, Floyd County Iowa Learning Farms farmer partner and co-owner of Jóia Food & Fiber Farm. “The future of agriculture is this!...

Virtual Field Day Dec. 15 – A Vision for Iowa: Growing Food for People through Diversified Agriculture Systems Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group (CLG), is hosting a free virtual field day on Friday, December 15th at 1 p.m. CT. Join us…

The year is almost over, but fantastic webinars are still happening weekly. Here is a quick recap of Novembers webinars in case you missed any! Movement of Soil in Corn and Soybean Fields Managed with Prairie Strips: Do prairie strips stop erosion? Does their location in the field matter for erosion reduction? Jessica Nelson, Iowa State University graduate student, discussed results from a 12-field study analyzing prairie strips effectiveness with different tillage managements....

November 2023 Webinar Rewind The year is almost over, but fantastic webinars are still happening weekly. Here is a quick recap of Novembers webinars in case you missed any!   Movement of Soil in Corn and Soybean Fields Ma…