Practical Farmers of Iowa to host its largest field day season in 2024

AMES — Farmers, landowners and friends of farmers are invited to participate in Practical Farmers’ 2024 field day season, which includes 59 farmer-led events across Iowa and surrounding states from June through November. All events are led by PFI farmer members, who believe in sharing their knowledge, discoveries, mistakes and successes so others can learn and grow their own operations.

“What makes PFI field days special is the open, honest conversation,” says Liz Kolbe, PFI’s farmer-led education director. “Hosts are transparent and share what’s working and what’s not. Attendees also get to see practices in action, which sparks new ideas to bring back to their own farms.”

Rye Resiliency: Strategies for Using Rye to Build and Maintain Soil Health

This field day session will be hosted by J.D. Hollingsworth and Dave Hollingsworth of Packwood on Monday, June 17.

The field day will be held at 1374 Colombine Blvd., Packwood from 4:30-6:30 p.m. with a dinner to follow at nearby 1176 125th St.

Speakers for this event will be Jason Steele, NRCS, and Ryan Wolf and Chris Wolf, farm neighbors.

David Hollingsworth has been farming near Packwood, Iowa, for 47 years. His son, J.D., has farmed with him for the past 24 years. Together, they raise corn and soybeans and grow cereal rye as a cover crop and for seed. After years of exploring reduced tillage strategies since the 1990s, J.D. and Dave became fully no-till in 2015; they now have 100% of their 1,200 acres cover cropped as well. Soil health and water quality are a key concern as J.D. raises the farm’s next generation on the land. Come learn how they’re working to steward their farm’s soil. You’ll get to see a small field of soybeans with roller-crimped rye, and the rye crop J.D. and Dave will harvest for seed midsummer.

This field day will begin at 1374 Colombine Blvd. for the first portion. Attendees will then caravan to 1176 125th St. for the closing portion, with one field stop along the way.

A Legacy of Stewardship: Using Cover Crops, Biochar and Nature for Sustainable Agriculture

This field day session will be hosted by Rob Stout of Washington on Wednesday, June 19.

This field day will be held at 2449 Hemlock Ave., Washington from 4-6 p.m. A dinner will follow the field day.

Rob Stout owns 745 acres in Washington, Iowa, and has been farming there since 1978, raising corn, soybeans, small grains and pigs. He also rents an additional 480 acres for farming. He grew up just 2 miles from his current farm and has been no-till since 1983. In 2009, Rob started using cover crops. For many years, he has also been active in PFI’s Cooperators’ Program conducting on-farm research on a range of topics, including many aspects of cover crops.

One recent project looked at whether planting corn into a green cereal rye cover crop affected corn seedling disease. In his latest trial, Rob is testing whether using biochar as a seed treatment can boost his corn yields. Join Rob and his family to explore how cover crops have helped keep nutrients on the land and improved their soil and water quality. Rob will also share what he’s learned so far from his latest on-farm trial.

PFI Field Day information

PFI field days are free for anyone to attend — membership in Practical Farmers of Iowa is not required or expected. Events are marked by a welcoming atmosphere, a spirit of curiosity, a culture of mutual respect and farmers openly sharing their knowledge and experience.

All events occur rain or shine. While RSVPs are not required for the majority of field days, they are appreciated to help with event and meal planning. The full roster of events — along with additional information about PFI field day policies and logistics — is available at practicalfarmers.org/field-days.