GILMORE CITY – Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and strip-tillage field day on June 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bob and Linda Lynch’s farm, 809 SE D Ave, Gilmore City.

The event is free and includes a complimentary meal. Reservations are requested to ensure adequate space and food. Contact Liz Juchems at (515) 294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.

Lynch, a Humboldt County Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner and president of the Conservation Districts of Iowa, uses cover crops, strip-till and no-tilling soybeans into standing corn stalks.

The Lynches farm land that has been in their family for more than 100 years. They are implementing conservation practices on their farm because they “want to leave the soil in better shape for future generations of family farmers,” Bob Lynch said. “Working the soil kills the soil and critters in the soil.”

Lynch will have his planter and strip-till machine on display as he shares his experience of transitioning to strip-tillage and implementing cover crops.

Also speaking at the field day will be:

• Angie Rieck-Hinz, a field agronomist for Iowa State University Extension, on the benefits of cover crops, as well as herbicide restriction considerations.

• Mark Hanna, an ISU Extension agricultural engineer, on adjusting planter settings for no-till systems, as well as considerations for strip-tillage systems.

• Clare Lindahl, executive director for Conservation Districts of Iowa, on retainN project for testing tile lines for nitrogen content.

Directions to the Lynch farm – from Humboldt, take Iowa Highway 3 west for 10 miles; turn left on Birch Ave. and head south for 0.3 miles; take the first right to head west on SE D Ave. The farm will be on the north side of the road.