AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Heartland Cooperative, and Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition, is hosting a farmer and landowner workshop on Wednesday, January 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Tron Scott’s farm near Slater to discuss bioreactor and saturated buffer edge-of-field practices. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Saturated buffers and bioreactors have been prioritized by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as they are some of the most cost-effective methods to improve water quality. These practices can be located within existing filter strips and are designed to work with the drainage system of the field. There are now numerous programs with financial and technical assistance available to encourage farmers and landowners to install these critical practices.
Join us to learn more about how these practices work through the demonstration of the Conservation On The Edge trailer. Ruth McCabe, conservation agronomist with Heartland Cooperative, and Keegan Kult, executive director for Agricultural Drainage Management Coalition, will provide information and technical assistance to help decide if they can work on your farmland and discuss possible funding opportunities to assist with installation.
The workshop will be at 3961 NW 158th Ave, Slater. From Slater, head south on 510th Ave/Linn St for 1 mile and continue on NW 44th St for 1 more mile. Turn left to head east on NW 158th Ave. The farm is locate on the north side of the road.
The workshop is free and open to farmers and landowners. Space is limited, so reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or [email protected]. Each attendee will receive a Heartland baseball hat and will be entered in a drawing that evening for several door prizes including an insulated cooler, insulated mug, and 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 www.iowalearningfarms.org.
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, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319) and GROWMARK, Inc.