Carroll County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach invites local producers to register for an upcoming workshop on cover crop implementation. Iowa Learning Farms, in collaboration with ISU Extension, is set to conduct a workshop on cover crops and relay intercropping on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Shelter House in Swan Lake State Park. The program offers farmers and landowners an opportunity to explore and discuss these conservation practices. Cover crops provide many benefits, including soil erosion reduction, weed suppression, reduced nutrient runoff, increased organic matter, and forage for livestock. In a relay intercropping system, which involves growing three crops in two years, farmers gain marketable small grain cover crops and additional revenue. Dr. Matt Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist, and Dr. Jon Dahlem, postdoctoral research associate, will host the workshop. The program is free to farmers, but reservations are required to attend. Participants will enjoy a complimentary meal and have the chance to win ISU Prairie Strips honey in a drawing. For reservations, contact Alena Whitaker at 515-294-2473 or ilf@iastate.edu. The workshop is supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
