Stuart to host prairie management field day

Learn about the conservation benefits of establishing perennial vegetation

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AMES — Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Science Based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips, will host a cover crop field day Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Carl Varley’s crop farm near Stuart.

The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

Iowa Learning Farms is a conservation program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

This field day aims to assist farmers and landowners with establishing and maintaining perennial vegetation, including STRIPS and Conservation Reserve Program areas.

These areas offer many benefits, reducing soil erosion from sensitive areas, building soil health, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat and providing beauty to the landscape.

Tim Youngquist, Iowa State University STRIPS program farmer liaison, will share results from over 15 years of research on prairie strips and will make practical recommendations about how to add prairie strips to corn and soybean fields.

Host and Adair County landowner Carl Varley and Chris Smith with Hertz Farm Management will share advice for working with tenants to successfully add prairie strips and will discuss the benefits and challenges of using prairie plants.

Tom Rosburg, professor of ecology and botany at Drake University, will discuss seed mix design and species selection to meet goals. Jon Judson, Carroll County farmer and Diversity Farms owner, seeded the site and will highlight tips for successfully seeding and managing prairie.

Concluding the field day, Nick Thompson, Pheasants Forever farm bill biologist, will discuss current programs available to help establish prairie on the farm.

The field day will be held at Carl Varley’s Farm north of 1175 Sheldon Ave. in Stuart.

From the I-80/Stuart Exit 93, head south on Stuart Road/P28 for 1.2 miles. Turn right to head west on 118th St. for 1 mile. Turn left to head south on Trenton Avenue for 0.2 miles and then turn right on 120th Street to head west for 1 mile. Turn right to head north on Sheldon Avenue for 0.3 miles.

The driveway for the field day will be located on the west side of the road and marked with field day signs.

The event is free and open to farmers and landowners but reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food.

For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu by Sept. 3.

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 and this project is supported by USDA NIFA award 2020-68012-31824.

For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.