Learn about Cover Crops, Grassed Waterways And Conservation Planning July 21

Jul 07, 2015

Iowa Learning Farms, along with the Jasper County Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host a workshop to inform farmers of available conservation planning, the installation of grassed waterways and erosion control blankets along with the use of cover crops. The workshop is set for Tuesday, July 21, from noon to 2 p.m. on the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax.

The workshop will begin with a complimentary lunch at noon, followed by a program at 12:30 p.m. Attendees will hear from Jasper County farmer Patrick Gannon. He has been farming for 40 years and farms with his wife Diane and son-in-law Troy Layton. Gannon has been no-tilling half of his 2,000 acres for more than 10 years. He started using cover crops last fall, planting triticale on 140 acres. Gannon installed several grassed waterways with erosion control blankets last fall and used cover crops as well. In addition to growing crops, Gannon has a farrow-to-finish hog operation.

Also speaking at the workshop are Jasper County NRCS Soil Conservationist Holly Giombi and District Conservationist Curtis Donohue. They will discuss using the NRCS Conservation Planning Process to solve resource concerns while minimizing risk and maximizing benefits. Gannon will share his perspective on working with NRCS, using the Conservation Planning Process, installing grassed waterways and planting cover crops. The speakers also will review the benefits of these for soil health and clean water. Following the program, attendees will take a field tour of Gannon’s grassed waterways, weather permitting.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Jasper County NRCS by July 16, 641-792-4116 ext. 3 or by email: Jessica.Rutter@ia.nacdnet.net. The workshop will be held in the Big Tent on the Jasper County Fairgrounds, 359 N. Walnut St. in Colfax.

Source:iastate.edu

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.