Field day will explore cover crops in corn and soybeans – March 27, near Oskaloosa

Contacts:

Mike Jackson | (641) 660-1146

Tamsyn Jones | Outreach & Publications Coordinator | Practical Farmers of Iowa | (515) 232-5661 | tamsyn@practicalfarmers.org

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Practical Farmers of Iowa and farmer Mike Jackson will host a cover crop field day on Tuesday, March 27, from noon to 3 p.m. in Oskaloosa. The event – “Cover Crops for Corn and Soybeans” – is free to attend and includes lunch. RSVPs are requested for the meal to Debra Boekholder, debra@practicalfarmers.org or (515) 232-5661.

The event is part of Practical Farmers’ 2018 spring cover crop “caravan” field day series, which features events at locations across Iowa exploring cover crop issues in grazing and row crop systems.

The event starts with lunch at noon at the Mahaska County Extension office (212 N. I St., on the west side of town), after which guests will caravan to a field on Mike’s farm (2559 IA Hwy 92, about 4.5 miles east of the extension office).

Mike farms with his wife, father and uncle, raising corn and soybeans, and the family operates three custom-fed swine buildings. They have been integrating cover crops for the past few years, and Mike also operates a custom planting business.

“I live on my family’s century farm. I’ve added cover crops as the perfect complement to the no-till practices my family has already established for me,” Mike says.

“I am striving to make my farms better than I received them, and I want to have an open conversation with other farmers about how we have raised corn and soybeans successfully with cover crops.”

During the field day, guests will get to see cover crops growing and learn from Mike about his experience with cover crop species selection; spring cover crop management; scouting for insects; and achieving long-term goals with cover crops.

Jason Steele, area resource soil scientists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will also be on hand to lead soil health demonstrations, including a slake test and tabletop soil infiltration demonstration, as well as a discussion about following cover crops in a dry spring.

Directions: The Mahaska County Extension office is located at 212 N. I St. on the west side of Oskaloosa. To reach the field on Mike’s farm where the event will conclude, head south on I Street and go east on IA Hwy 92 for about 4.5 miles; Mike’s field is located at 2559 IA Hwy 92.

Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2018 spring cover crop field days are supported by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Pepsi and Unilever.

Practical Farmers of Iowa works to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Our values include: welcoming everyone; farmers leading the exchange of experience and knowledge; curiosity, creativity, collaboration and community; resilient farms now and for future generations; and stewardship of land and resources. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.