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Squaw Creek conservation field day set

By Staff | Nov 2, 2015

STRATFORD – A Squaw Creek Conservation field Day is set from 1-5 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Prairie Hill Farm in Hamilton County, 3926 Hammond Ave. in Stratford.

The field day hosted by Prairie Rivers of Iowa, along with their partners, is the first of its kind hosted in the Squaw Creek Watershed.

Attendees will learn how to improve soil health by adding conservation practices to their farming operations.

Jim Johnson and Jim McHugh will share how to utilize a diversity of nutrient management practices to improve the soil health and water quality on their farms.

Practices that will be featured include prairie buffer strips, cover crops, and integrated cattle grazing systems. Attendees will learn how to utilize prairie grasses such as Virginia Wild Rye, Canada Wild Rye, Purple Prairie Clover, and Partridge Pea in their land.

The afternoon will include farm tours and presentations by experts on conservation practices, as well as conservation oriented giveaways and games.

Speakers are:

  • Jamie Benning, Kapil Arora, and Mark Johnson from Iowa State University Extension, will discuss different conservation practices and how they recommend you can successfully fit them into different farm operations.

They will be on hand to answer your questions.

  • Mark Tomer, from USDA-ARS, will also present on the Agriculture Conservation Planning Framework, a conservation planning tool that acknowledges the unique needs of varying farm operations alongside conservation goals.

“We are very excited to show the work of not just one farmer, but neighbors who are working hard to improve soil health and reduce nutrient loss to our Iowa waterways.

These farmers serve as an example that if we work together and use practices suited to each farm, water quality goals can be achievable.” said Hanna Bates, Watershed Coordinator for Prairie Rivers of Iowa.

RSVP for this event by Nov. 5.

Contact Hanna Bates at (515) 232-0048 or email: hbates@prrcd.org. Online registration is also available at www.prrcd.org/fieldday.

To learn more visit Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s website at www.prrcd.org/squawcreek.