NOVEMBER 2017 STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for the best soils in the world that have supported generations of Iowa farm families. As you all know, we must continue to improve our soil and water resources by adopting conservation practices in order for future generations to reap the benefits of these soils.

This month we have two great opportunities to learn and provide farmer input to soil and water protection. First is the Soil Health Partnership’s annual summit in Rosemont, Illinois, Jan. 18-19. Normally this is an invite-only event for those who participate in the Partnership, but this year they are extending the invite to additional farmers. Registration is $100 and includes:

• Presentation of economic and environmental results from demonstration sites

• The chance to meet our data partners and collaborators

• A look at how soil health can be applied to the industry research product development model

• Lunch, snack and reception on Thursday and breakfast, snack and lunch on Friday

• Networking opportunities with farmers in the Soil Health Partnership program 

If you are interested in receiving one of these limited invitations to the summit, please contact me by Nov. 30 at 515-225-9242 or bgleason@iowacorn.org.

The other opportunity, hosted by the Conservation Districts of Iowa, involves protecting the source of drinking water for small Iowa communities. Several towns are being proactive and assembling teams of farmers, water operators, landowners and conservation professionals to investigate potential issues with their wellheads and opportunities to protect their source water. Initial meetings are being held in the following locations:

• George, Dec.4, 6:30 p.m., George Community Building

• Ida Grove, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m., Ida Grove Recreation Center

• Holstein, Dec. 12, 11:30 a.m., Lohff-Schuman Recreation Center

• Kingsley, Dec. 14, 11:30 a.m., Kingsley Community Center

Iowa Corn is proud to support these proactive efforts. Additional cities will be assembling teams in the future. If you are interested in attending one of these meetings, please contact Bridget Durst, source water community facilitator with Conservation Districts of Iowa. Bridget can be reached at 712-262-4177 or bridget.durst@dnr.iowa.gov.

FARMER TO FARMER:

LET'S TALK Importance of Conservation

Roger Wuthrich, Davis County farmer, talks about his experience with conservation practices on his farm. Terraces in particular are an integral part of his operation and he explains the process of getting those implemented.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Nov. 27: Upper Iowa Watershed Meeting, Decorah

• Nov. 28: Cover Crop Field Day, Red Oak

• Nov. 28: Sheep & Cover Crops Field Day, Ireton

• Nov. 29 - 30: integrated crop management conference, ames

• Nov. 30: Cover Crop Field Day, Roland

• Nov. 30: Upper Wapsi Watershed Meeting, Riceville

• Dec. 5: Dicamba Update, Newton

• Dec. 5: Crop Fair, Thompson

• dec. 5 - 6: Conservation Tillage Conference, Willmar, MN

• Dec. 6: Cover Crop Workshop, Carroll

• Dec. 6: Upper Wapsi Watershed Meeting, Independence

• Dec. 7 - 8: National Conference on Cover Crops and Soil Health, Indianapolis

• Dec. 12: English River Built Practices Meeting, Ladora

• Dec. 12: Southfork Watershed Meeting, Iowa Falls

• Dec. 13: Cover Crop Workshop, oakland

• Dec. 13: North Raccoon Watershed Meeting, Lake City

• Dec. 14: Conservation Drainage Workshop, Fort Dodge

• Dec. 19: Dicamba Update, Boone

• Dec. 20: Nishnabotna Watershed Meeting, Oakland

LATEST INFORMATION:

• Cover Crop - Crop Insurance Demonstration Project

• On-Farm Water Storage Can Help Ease Drought Risk

• 7 Herbicide Application Changes in 2018 for Dicamba-Tolerant Crops

• On-the-Ground Experience with Cover Crops

• Fall vs Spring: When to Apply Phosphorus

• Southeast Iowa Farmer Protects Soil and Water with Diverse Conservation Approach

• Old Concern, New Funding: Trying to Expand Money for Conservation

• Use ISU Extension Publications to Make Informed Manure Decisions

• Monarch Habitat Restoration Benefits Farmers and the Environment

• 10 Steps to Efficient Nitrogen

• Cover Crops in Harvest Fields