Location
Tony and Roberta Brink’s Farm - access drive just north of farm
2551 Marsh Ave
Haverhill, IA 50120
RSVP: 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Middle Iowa Watershed Management Authority and Marshall County Natural Resource Conservation Service, will host a wetland and prairie field day Thursday, June 12 from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Tony and Roberta Brink’s farm near Haverhill. The no cost event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Wetlands and prairie once dominated the Iowa landscape and today they continue to provide important benefits to water quality and wildlife habitat. Strategically placed wetlands can also help reduce with downstream flooding. This field day will explore the wetland system developed on the property and aims to assist farmers and landowners with establishing and maintaining perennial vegetation. These areas offer many benefits including pollinator habitat, reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, and providing beauty to the landscape.
The field day will begin with landowner Tony Brink highlighting the work he has done since purchasing the property in 1990 to increase wildlife habitat through the creation of wetlands and prairie. Kay Stefanik, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Assistant Director, will discuss the benefits of wetlands on the landscape and Kevin Andersen, Iowa DNR State Private Lands Biologist, will share best management practices for establishing and maintaining prairie. Doug Roupp, Marshall NRCS District Conservationist, will share updates on cost share programs for implementing wetlands and prairie on the land. Emily Herring, Director of Marshall County Conservation Board, will be available after lunch for prairie plant identification.
The field day be held at Tony and Roberta Brink’s farm, 2551 Marsh Ave, Haverhill, IA 50120. The driveway to enter the site is located north of the homestead on the west side of the road and will be marked with field day signs. Insect repellent will be provided and attendees are encouraged to wear long pants and closed toe shoes.
The event is offered at no cost and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations 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 June 5. 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 www.iowalearningfarms.org.
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 and GROWMARK, Inc.
About Middle Iowa Watershed Management Authority
The Middle Iowa Watershed Management Authority is a group of cities, counties, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) that was formed in 2023 via a 28E agreement, for the purpose of collaborative watershed improvement efforts in the Middle Iowa Watershed. The group was recently awarded a Comprehensive Water Quality Management Planning grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). The WMA is working in partnership with federal and state agencies, landowners, and other unincorporated communities (e.g. Meskwaki Nation, Amana) to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan that will address stakeholder concerns with water quality, flooding, and degrading habitat quality.