Event Overview
Ray and Susan Meylor own Watershed Mitigation Farm near Polk City, Iowa. The operation is focused on intercepting surface runoff and farm tile water using a range of strategies to ensure clean water enters Saylorville Lake and the surrounding watershed. Since 2008, the Meylors have taught school groups and adults about sustainable agriculture, donated produce to local food pantries and helped set up community gardens.
Join Ray and Susan as they lead a walking tour of the farm showcasing their erosion control practices, such as CRP prairie plantings, agroforestry stands and retention ponds that filter runoff. We'll see how they have managed to remove almost all nitrates from water leaving their farm. They will also discuss how farmers can find ways to improve their own water quality and create wildlife habitat.
Meal
Lunch will follow the field day.
See & Discuss
- Restoring native habitat for soil and water quality
- How agroforestry food systems can provide profit, erosion control and wildlife habitat
- Water retention ponds that capture tiling runoff, reduce nitrates and house aquatic habitat
- Using an in-depth site analysis to identify opportunities for prairie and woodlands
See & Discuss
- Farming for Public Health
- Home State Bank
- Iowa Food System Coalition
- Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
- Savanna Institute
