Traer Soil Health and Grazing Field Days

Farmers, landowners, and ag support providers are invited to learn more about soil health in grazing systems on July 6, 7, and 8. The classes, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Learning Farms, are free to attend and include complimentary lunch; however, reservations are required. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., and the program will be 1-3 p.m. each day

In these hands-on field days, attendees will learn how to assess soils on their own properties. Each location will feature a soil pit with a discussion of soil physical characteristics and how they impact soil function, and a comparison of soils in both grazed and row-crop systems. Infiltration and soil aggregation assessments will be performed and discussed, along with other simple indicators that can be used to evaluate and track changes in soil health. Attendees will also learn how to assess pasture conditions and how grazing management affects soil health.

For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, contact Liz Ripley, conservation outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms, at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.