By Liz Ripley–Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Upper Iowa River Watershed Management Authority, Iowa Nutrient Research Center, and Conservation Learning Group will present a virtual cover crop field day on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. CST. Join for a live conversation with Matt Frana, project coordinator for the Turkey River Watershed and Upper Iowa River Watershed, following video footage from a road project site within the watershed.
Iowa Learning Farms is part of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
The virtual field day will highlight one of the unique sites within the watershed that is adapting existing infrastructure to provide increased water storage, as well as water quality improvement opportunities. Working with Winneshiek County, Frana was able to identify a site where the existing road could be raised to enhance an existing pond structure for increased water storage and create a fringe wetland that will provide water quality and wildlife habitat benefits, while also helping to increase traffic safety.
Located in northeast Iowa, the Upper Iowa River Watershed was selected to work with the Iowa Flood Center at the University of Iowa and many other partners to develop Watershed Management Authorities as part of the Iowa Watershed Approach. Through the project, Iowans are working together to address factors that contribute to floods and nutrient flows and enjoy the improvements in quality of life and health resulting from upstream watershed investments. Supported by U.S. Housing and Urban Development dollars, this approach is leveraging the principles of Iowa’s innovative Nutrient Reduction Strategy to make communities more resilient to flooding, help improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat.
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms virtual field days are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Virtual field day access instructions
To participate in the live virtual field day:
- Shortly before 1 p.m. CST on Jan. 13, click this URL: https://iastate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpduihpj8iE9ZHcjpsenc2DWQILG41wg0D.
- Or visit www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/events for the registration link.
- Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing 1-312-626-6799 with meeting ID 914 1198 4892.
The field day will be recorded and archived on the ILF website so that it can be watched at any time.
Participants will be eligible for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live field day.
