Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Learning Farms are offering three field days focused on soil health in grazing systems. In these hands-on field days, attendees will learn how to assess soils on their own properties. Each location will feature a soil pit with discussion of soil physical characteristics and how they impact soil function, and a comparison of soils in both grazed and row-crop systems. Infiltration and soil aggregation assessments will be performed and discussed, along with other simple indicators that can be used to evaluate and track changes in soil health. Attendees will also learn how to assess pasture condition and how grazing management affects soil health.
The event is free and open to farmers, landowners, ag retailers and advisers, and includes a complimentary meal. Below are the details for each of the field days including location, dates, time, and reservation information.
Kubik Family Farm 2587 130th St. Traer, IA
- Date: July 6
- Free lunch starting at 12:30 pm, followed by the field day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Reservations are kindly asked for to help ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
Nelson Family Farm 27996 Harding Rd. Clermont, IA
- Date: July 7
- Free lunch starting at 12:30 pm, followed by the field day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Reservations are kindly asked for to help ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
Smith Family Farm 26129 Trivoli Ln. Epworth, IA
- Date: July 8
- Free lunch starting at 12:30 pm, followed by the field day from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
- Reservations are kindly asked for to help ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP please contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
These workshops will be led by ISU Extension and Outreach field specialists: Brian Dougherty (field agricultural engineer for Northeast Iowa), Angie Rieck-Hinz (field agronomist for Northern Iowa), Josh Michel (field agronomist for Northeast Iowa) and Denise Schwab (beef specialist for NE Iowa).
For more information about these events please contact any of the following field specialists:
Brian Dougherty, ISU Extension Field Agricultural Engineer at brian1@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496
Angie Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension Field Agronomist at amrieck@iastate.edu or 515-231-2830
Josh Michel, ISU Extension Field Agronomist at jjmichel@iastate.edu or 563-581-7828
Denise Schwab, ISU Extension Beef Specialist at dschwab@iastate.edu or 319-721-9624
Joshua Michel Field Agronomist in NE Iowa
Joshua Michel joins ISU Extension and Outreach as a field agronomist after working at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration Farm. While at the farm he was responsible for coordinating corn and soybean field studies that included planting, harvesting, tillage and pest management. Mi...