Location
Alex and Shelley Woodall Farm
2263 350th St
Jewell, IA 50130
RSVP: 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu
Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop, soil health and water quality field day near Jewell on Thursday, July 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alex and Shelley Woodall’s farm. The no-cost event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
Cover crops offer many benefits to farmers and landowners like improved soil health, reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, and increased organic matter in the soil. When paired with reduced tillage, additional benefits include increased water infiltration and reduced erosion during heavy rain events.
The field day will feature host and Hamilton County farmer Alex Woodall discussing how he has incorporated cover crops into his farming operation to improve soil health and water quality. Ruth McCabe and Nolan Grove with Heartland Co-op will continue the discussion on cover crops and provide a cover crop interseeding demonstration. Linda Murken, Story County Supervisor and member of the Headwaters of the South Skunk River Watershed Management Authority, will highlight efforts being undertaken within the watershed, as well as the Ioway Creek watershed, to improve water quality. The Iowa Learning Farms will present their Conservation Station On The Edge trailer to highlight additional practices that can reduce nutrient concentrations and improve water quality. Practical Farmer of Iowa will also be on hand with cover crop cost share information.
The field day will be held at Alex and Shelley Woodall’s farm, 2263 350th St, Jewell, IA 50130. 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 July 10. 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. This event is planned in partnership with Ioway and Headwaters of the South Skunk WMA, Heartland Co-op and Clean Water Iowa. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.