With favorable weather forecasted to get Harvest 2026 underway this week, we hope you mark your calendars to join us for one of our eight upcoming field days this fall! Each no-cost event includes a complimentary meal, so help us ensure we have adequate space and food by RSVPing today. Cover Crop and Manure Field DayTuesday, Nov. 3 | 12:00-2:00pm…

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Oct. 7, featuring Rabail Chandio, assistant professor, Department of Economics, Iowa State University. Chandio’s research focuses on agricultural land markets, land values, conservation policy, and farmland ownership, with an emphasis on how policy and market forces shape rural economies. She also holds the position of faculty affiliate of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD).

Prairie Strips are a fantastic conservation practice. Not only do they reduce nitrogen (84%), decrease sediment loss (90%), and reduce phosphorus loss (89%) they also mitigate flooding! And don’t forget about the wildlife habitat they provide. Learn more about how prairie strips reduce flooding in our most recent webinar with Betret Eustace, Assessing the Flood Mitigation Potential of Prairie Strips…

Iowa Learning Farms is excited to announce the release of four new infographics in our Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crops Series. Joining Minimizing Corn Seedling Disease, the new infographics cover the impacts of the C:N ratio on nutrient cycling, weed suppression, grazing, and soil health. All are free to download and share on our website.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Sept. 30, featuring Betret Eustace, CFM, Ph.D. candidate in civil engineering, Iowa State University. Eustace’s research applies integrated surface-subsurface modeling to nature-based flood mitigation (native prairie strips), aquifer recharge (low-head dams) and flood plain hydrodynamics. In the webinar, “Assessing the Flood Mitigation Potential of Prairie Strips,”

What if the same conservation practices helping keep Iowa's water clean are also helping wildlife return to the landscape? From breeding trumpeter swans to thriving tree frogs, research is revealing that investments in water quality may be delivering far more benefits than we once realized. That was the focus of last week's recent webinar with Mic Rohde, Ph.D. candidate in wildlife ecology at Iowa State University, where he is exploring how water quality practices can provide important habitat for wildlife across Iowa.

Challenges to agriculture may deter some farmers, but for Iowa Learning Farms farmer partner Trent Thiele, these challenges offer an opportunity for improvement. Raising corn and soybeans, along with cattle and pigs, Trent’s diverse operation is matched by his diverse efforts to take steps to maintain a healthy landscape for future generations. In addition to well-known conservation practices like no-till and cover crops, Trent has expanded his conservation efforts to include relay intercropping.

Harvest is a busy time of year, but it's also when farming is front and center. Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) would love to hear from the farmers who know it best! Are you a farmer? Have 10 minutes to share your thoughts? Five participants will be selected to win a $200 gift card. Know a farmer who'd have thoughts?

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Sept. 23, featuring Mic Rohde, Ph.D. candidate in wildlife ecology, Iowa State University. Rohde’s research uses long-term wildlife monitoring data and spatial models to examine how land-cover changes associated with state and federally funded water quality conservation programs could affect wildlife across Iowa. In the webinar, “

Adding cover crops into a corn-soybean system requires some trial and error. Despite challenges in implementing cover crops, they offer important benefits to both soil and water resources. In last week’s webinar, Liz Stahl and Anna Cates with the University of Minnesota shared their knowledge on, “Figuring Out What Works for Cover Crops in the Upper Midwest.” Understanding how to make cover crops work for you is the first step in making them a key part of your operation.

Sara McMillan | Iowa State University ProfessorBryce Bearson | Iowa State University Graduate Student Across Iowa, farmers, conservation professionals, watershed groups and other partners are working together to put conservation into practice. New digital tools combined with more and better data have created a window of opportunity for us to accelerate the adoption of a wider range of practices across the landscape while making each new investment as useful as possible.

For many people across Iowa, fall is one of the busiest times of the year. As we move through September and into October, more and more farmers are getting in the field. Fall field operations are more involved than just getting the grain into the bin. Despite it being the end of this cropping season, that isn’t stopping farmers from thinking of the year ahead.

Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) will host a timely virtual field day on Wednesday, Sep. 23, at 1 p.m. CT. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Mike Castellano, William T. Frankenberger Professor of soil science at Iowa State University, and Justin Glisan, State Climatologist of Iowa, moderated by Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Director.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Sep. 16, featuring Liz Stahl, extension educator – crops, and Anna Cates, associate professor and extension specialist, University of Minnesota. Stahl’s education and research efforts include corn and soybean management with a focus on weed management, pesticide safety, integrated pest management and cover crops. Cates’ research focuses on soil organic matter and cropping systems, as well as environmental and agronomic outcomes of conservation.

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy calls for a 45% reduction in nitrogen (263 million pounds) to shrink the size of the deadzone in the gulf. In the most recent ILF webinar, Chris Hay poses the question, "What if we estimate nitrogen reduction in pounds?".  By looking at bioreactors' ability to remove nitrogen (N) by pounds we can answer site-level questions. Like, which installations are underperforming?

Nicole Vernon has been a part of her family’s Jones County operation all of her life. When the opportunity arose for her to purchase her own farm in 2016, she jumped at the chance. Alongside her parents, Jeff and Shielly Monck, and her husband, Jon, Nicole has since taken strides to expand her operation while improving the quality of Iowa’s natural resources.

As we conclude the third year of our relay intercropping demonstration project, cereal rye grain production continued to show variability across sites, reinforcing the importance of multi-year evaluations to better understand crop performance under diverse environmental conditions. Data collected from six farmer partners across the state provide insight into rye yield trends in a relay intercropping system from 2024 through 2026 and illustrate the influence of weather and site-specific conditions on grain production.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Sep. 9, featuring Chris Hay, owner and principal of Hay Water Solutions. Hay’s work focuses on agricultural subsurface drainage and water quality. With more than three decades of cross-sector experience, he helps move conservation drainage practices – such as bioreactors, saturated buffers, controlled drainage and drainage water recycling – from research into tools that farmers and practitioners can actually use.

Our latest webinar featured Jonathan D. Norton, a Ph.D. candidate in environmental science at Iowa State University, who shared exciting research on the role restored wetlands play in both nutrient reduction and greenhouse gas dynamics. While wetlands are widely recognized for their ability to remove nitrate from agricultural water through denitrification, Jonathan highlighted an important challenge: when denitrification is incomplete, it can produce nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas.

Hot off the presses! We have published the On-Farm Forestry Field Guide for Iowa, which is available at no cost. The guide covers tree-centric topics and provides detailed advice on approaches to forest management. It also highlights on-farm benefits ranging from windbreaks and erosion control to crop trees and high-value timber production. Billy Beck, assistant professor and extension forestry specialist at Iowa State, collaborated with Iowa Learning Farms to prepare the guide for use by farmers and landowners.

With help from a $1 million federal grant, Iowa State University, in collaboration with Iowa Learning Farms, is developing the Watershed Innovation Farm – a demonstration site for showcasing nature-based water-quality measures such as saturated buffers, bioreactors and wetlands. This exciting new project was recently highlighted by ISU News and Iowa Capitol Dispatch, as the Watershed Innovation Farm aims to appeal to a variety of audiences, from farmers and industry leaders to teachers and conservation officials.

Nutrient reduction approaches around the world will be the focus of the Fall 2026 Water Quality Research Seminar series hosted by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. The sessions will feature scientists who have been leaders in developing, improving, and tracking the progress of nutrient reduction practices in Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand, and the United States. The first three sessions in the series will be held virtually on the second Wednesday of each month, September through November, …

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Sep. 2, featuring Jonathan D. Norton, environmental science Ph.D. candidate, Iowa State University. Norton studies wetland biogeochemistry and nitrous oxide (N2O) dynamics in tile-drained agricultural landscapes. His research aims to quantify dissolved N2O transported from agricultural catchments, investigate spatial and temporal patterns of wetland N2O emissions and estimate in situ N2O production using a mass balance approach to better understand the sources and fate of N2O in restored wetlands.

Despite having multiple positive impacts on land and water resources, conservation practices often face challenges when it comes to adoption. Seeing this challenge, Jenny Seifert, watershed outreach specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, set out to help farmers overcome concerns of implementing conservation on their land. In her webinar, “Replicable Farmer Outreach Approaches to Increase Conservation Practice Adoption”

Water Rocks! classroom visits bring high energy, high impact science lessons from Iowa State University straight to your school—at no cost. With topics ranging from water and wetlands to pollinators and ecosystems, Water Rocks! classroom visits pack a punch!  Our online lottery system is now open for Fall 2026 classroom visits. Submit your request by noon on Wednesday, Sept. 2 to get in the lottery for a fall classroom visit with Water Rocks!.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Aug. 26, featuring Jenny Seifert, watershed outreach specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. Seifert connects, coordinates and communicates for multi-state projects that cultivate leadership, knowledge exchange and behavior change for watershed protection, working primarily in the Mississippi River Basin. Her expertise is in behavior change communications, particularly as it relates to conservation and sustainability.

How often are you walking your beans and scouting for aphids? Do you currently pay someone to do that? In our most recent webinar, Hyewon Lee, PhD Candidate at Iowa State University and Dr. Sophie Lee at Rutgers University discussed integrated pest management (IPM) options for soybean aphids, including drone technology. Learn more by watching the full webinar, When Does Scouting Pay?

Art is all around us. It makes us feel and think. It can bring up memories and encourage future actions. Lately, I’ve been paying attention to art with a conservation theme. Songs, pictures, murals, and books are great sources of inspiration for planting native grasses or reducing soil erosion. Can fiber art, or crafts, also encourage conservation? Let’s talk about it. 

Katherine Kral-O'Brien | Iowa State University Assistant Professor Iowans can replace traditional, sod-forming grass lawns with native plants to create multiple benefits. Native plants generally require less maintenance, help reduce soil erosion and nutrient transport, and (my favorite) help wildlife like birds and pollinators. However, creating these areas in your yard and garden can sometimes seem daunting, especially if you see someone else with a beautiful looking yard that exemplifies what you want!

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Aug. 12, featuring Hyewon Lee, Ph.D. candidate, Iowa State University, and Seowoo Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor and extension specialist in farm viability, Rutgers University. Hyewon Lee is a Ph.D. candidate in economics studying agricultural and environmental decision-making, including information acquisition, pesticide use, conservation practices and farmland valuation.

Three crops in two years: A promising conservation-focused cropping system for Iowa, offering agronomic, economic, and environmental benefits—or too good to be true? Here at Iowa Learning Farms, we’ve invested a good amount of time the past three years evaluating relay intercropping across the state of Iowa. We are actively studying the relay intercropping system’s potential to produce three harvestable crops over the course of a two-year period (small grains and soybeans growing side-by-side, and corn the following year):

Today’s guest blog post comes from Pooja Timilsina. Timilsina is starting her second year as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University. Nitrate loading into waterways remains one of Iowa’s greatest water quality challenges, given the state's extensive subsurface tile drainage system. One of the emerging edge-of-field conservation practices that intercepts this water and converts nitrate to nitrogen gas before it mixes with downstream water is the denitrifying woodchip bioreactor.

We hope you can join us at one of our upcoming events! Please RSVP to ilf@iastate.edu or call 515-294-5429. Cover Crop Field DayAugust 26 |  5:00-7:00pmBoettcher Family Farms1200 215th AveSpirit Lake, IA 51360RSVP: ilf@iastate.edu or 515-294-5429RSVP by August 19 Prairie Establishment and Management Field DayAugust 27| 10:30am-12:30pmGilbert Franklin Community Room105 SE 2nd Street…

Water Rocks! hosted its 20th Water Rocks! Summit in June 2026, providing educators from Iowa schools, Meskwaki Nation—Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and ISU Extension and Outreach with tools, techniques and strategies for helping their students learn about water and water quality. Since 2014 the Water Rocks! Summit workshops have provided some…

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, Aug. 12, featuring Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping system specialist, Iowa State University. Licht’s extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage Iowa cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability and environmental goals. His research is centered around varied aspects of soybean, corn and cover crop management.

Fall is quickly approaching, and with it comes the season of manure application and cover crop establishment. While the two may seem unrelated, manure and cover crops can actually work hand in hand to improve soil health and water quality, while maximizing nutrient benefits. In last week’s webinar as part of the Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series, Dan Andersen, professor and extension specialist with Iowa State University, joined Matt Helmers in a discussion on the relationship between cover crops and manure.

Where does your drinking water come from? For many Iowan’s, the answer to this question is right below their feet. Just like those sourcing their drinking water from above ground surfaces, the quality of ground water plays a critical role in maintaining healthy lives. In an effort to educate and connect private well owners with professionals, the Private Well Stewardship Program…

Ever since his childhood, Linus Dyer has been fascinated with the natural world. Whether he was spending time in his grandfather’s woodland or exploring Fontenelle Forest near his home in Omaha, Nebraska, Linus knew he had a deep passion for nature. As a current student at Iowa State University majoring in forestry, he’s now putting his passion to use both academically and through summer internship opportunities.

Nitrogen management is an important—and challenging—aspect of crop production. During our most recent webinar, Dr. Richard Roth, assistant professor and extension nutrient management specialist, walked through the "Nitrogen Toolbox," exploring how nitrogen moves, what drives nitrogen availability, and which decision-making tools can help producers optimize fertilizer investments throughout the growing season. Understanding the nitrogen cycle is a key component to managing the crucial nutrient.

Today’s guest blog post comes from water resources intern Emma Cochran.  Joining us from Altoona, IA, Cochran is majoring in environmental science with a minor in sustainability and women and gender studies at Iowa State University. When I accepted this internship, I expected to learn more about conservation efforts, but I wasn’t expecting to explore the whole state of Iowa, engage in meaningful conversations with hundreds of people, and gain a whole new appreciation for our state’s diverse landscapes.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, July 29, featuring Richard Roth, Ph.D., assistant professor and extension nutrient management specialist, Iowa State University. Roth's program focuses on engineering and optimizing nutrient management strategies that improve the agronomic, economic and environmental performance of Iowa’s cropping systems. His current research includes developing remote sensing methods for in-season corn nitrogen needs, evaluating commercially available nitrification inhibitors, quantifying nitrogen dynamics in perennial groundcover systems, assessing liquid starter fertilizer placement for corn, quantifying nitrogen and sulfur release from cover crops, and investigating corn and soybean response to sulfur fertilizer with and without cover crops.

What can benefit livestock, the environment, and the bottom line all at the same time? The answer is cover crops! Though their sole purpose is often to improve soil health and water quality, cover crops also offer a great grazing resource. In last week’s webinar, Dr. Matt Helmer’s led a discussion with Shelby Gruss, forage extension specialist with Iowa State University, as part of ILF’s Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series.

Today’s guest blog post comes from water resources intern Nicole Deetz.  Joining us from Marion, IA, Deetz is majoring in biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. It was my mom who first instilled in me a love of nature. Every weekend, we were finding a new trail to hike, a lake to kayak on, or a bike path to explore. I spent most of my childhood in New York's Hudson Valley, where I was surrounded by mountains, forests, and winding rivers.

For many, summer is thought of as a time to relax and take a break from learning. While I encourage relaxation, I also challenge you to find ways to expand your knowledge. Luckily, Iowa Learning Farms is here to help. Whether it’s an in-person field day, a visit to the Conservation Station, or a weekly webinar, ILF is working all summer long to encourage deeper thinking and an attitude toward positive action.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, July 22, featuring Iowa State University’s (ISU) Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and forage extension specialist, in a live studio interview hosted by ISU professor Matthew Helmers. Gruss’ research and extension efforts focus on optimizing forage-based systems by applying practices to enhance resilience and productivity in annual and perennial forage through different management strategies.

Man, it wouldn’t be so cold if it weren’t for the wind! What if you were to harness some of that frigid wind to generate power? Learn about distributed wind energy from Kathy Evenson-McDermott and Sophie Farr in our most recent webinar, On-Farm Energy Opportunities: Distributed Wind. If you’ve driven in Iowa in the last decade, you’ve seen large utility-scale wind turbines.

Today’s guest blog post comes from water resources intern Ainsley Weber.  Originally from Bloomington, IL, Weber is majoring in environmental science at Iowa State University. If you had asked me a year ago where I'd spend my summer, I never would have guessed it would be traveling across Iowa talking to farmers. I grew up in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where my high school sat across the road from a cornfield.

Iowa Learning Farms is thrilled to announce our new Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner series, where guided prairie exploration is paired with a seasonal farm-to-table dining experience—connecting guests to the land, prairie, pollinators, and the conservation stories that sustain us. Hosted at three unique venues across the state, these intimate ticketed events blend fine dining and education to celebrate sustainability, community, local foods, and the beauty of Iowa’s working landscapes.

Mark Licht | Iowa State University Associate Professor andExtension Cropping Systems Specialist Relay intercropping is generating growing interest among farmers and conservation professionals because it offers the potential to combine profitable crop production with soil and water conservation benefits. In its simplest form, relay intercropping involves growing two crops simultaneously in the same field, but with different planting and harvest dates.

Please join us for the Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon CDT, Wednesday, July 15, featuring Sophie Farr, researcher, National Wind Technology Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), and Kathy Evenson-McDermott, extension specialist, Community and Economic Development, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach. Farr’s research at NLR's National Wind Technology Center focuses on developing resources to help local governments, farmers, small rural businesses, utilities, and others to make informed decisions about distributed energy resources.