Location
Mathis Farm
2210 B Ave
Shenandoah, IA 51601
RSVP: 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu

Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop field day near Shenandoah on Wednesday, August 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mathis Family Farm. The no-cost event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

 This field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing cover crops. Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners, including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. When paired with no-tillage additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events.

 The field day will feature host and Page County landowner Greg Mathis discussing how he works with his tenant to incorporate cover crops on his farm to improve soil health and water quality. Also speaking will be Pottawattamie County farmer and cow/calf herdsman Terry Gleaves who has implemented a variety of conservation practices on his farm including no-till, cover crops, and terraces. The field day will feature the rainfall simulator from the Iowa Learning Farms and a cover crop drone seeding demonstration by Mark Archibald with Universal Aerial Solutions. The field day will conclude with a meal sponsored by Fremont-Page County Corn Growers Association.

 The field day will be held at the Mathis Farm, 2210 B Ave, Shenandoah, IA 51601. The no-cost event 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 August 20. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.