Cover Crop and Grazing Field Day to be held near Epworth on November 12th
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and grazing field day as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series” in rural Epworth on Thursday, Nov. 12, from noon to 2 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.
“Cover crops are a critical tool in meeting Iowa’s water quality goals while maintaining healthy soils. In addition to their environmental benefits, cover crops can offer high-quality feed for livestock,” said Mitch Harting, water outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms. “This field day will educate farmers and landowners on the potential grazing opportunities of cover crops and offer firsthand insights into putting cattle back on the land.”
The field day will feature Shelby Gruss, extension forage specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, who will share about the opportunities that cover crops offer as livestock forage. Scott Hendricks, Conservation Agronomist with Dubuque County Watersheds, will also discuss their efforts to promote cover crop use and the resources available to help implement cover crops on agricultural land. Additionally, Jack Smith will share his experiences utilizing cover crops as a forage and grazing source for his cattle in rural Dubuque County.
The field day will be held at the Smith Farm, located at 26129 Tivoli Ln, Epworth, IA 52045. 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 Harting at 515-294-8912 or ilf@iastate.edu by Nov. 5. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for Iowa State University Prairie Strips honey.
Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information, visit Iowa Learning Farms.
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, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and GROWMARK, Inc.
