Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day to be held

AMES ? Iowa Learning Farms, along with West Fork Crooked Creek Watershed Project and Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District, will host a cover crop and soil health field day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7. The field day near Keota is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary lunch.

Cover crops continue to grow in popularity in Iowa due to the many benefits they provide. Such benefits include reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter and reduced soil erosion. Choosing which species and seeding method to implement can have a significant impact on achieving these benefits and a farmer?s goals.

The agenda topics include: cover crop seeding rates, termination and pest management with Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, local famer Tim Sieren sharing his experience with cover crops, and soil health discussion with Brian Hora of Continuum Ag LLC of Washington.

The field day will be hosted by Vision Ag at 2038 Keokuk-Washington Road, on the east side of Keota. The workshop is free, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Make reservations by contacting West Fork Crooked Creek Watershed Project Coordinator Dan Mahoney at 319-653-2138 ext. 3.