Free Cover Crop and Grazing Field Day Planned Nov. 12 Near Epworth

Farmers and landowners can learn how cover crops benefit both their fields and their livestock at a free field day near Epworth on Thursday, November 12. Iowa Learning Farms will host the event from noon to 2 p.m. at Smith Family Farm, 26129 Tivoli Lane in Epworth, with a complimentary meal provided. The program will focus on using cover crops as a source of forage for cattle while also protecting soil and water quality. Speakers include Mitch Harting, water outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms, who said cover crops are 'a critical tool in meeting Iowa's water quality goals while maintaining healthy soils' and can offer high-quality feed for livestock. Shelby Gruss, an extension forage specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will discuss how cover crops can provide feed for livestock. Scott Hendricks, a conservation agronomist with Dubuque County Watersheds, will explain efforts to encourage cover crop use and outline resources available to farmers getting started. Local cattle producer Jack Smith will share his experience using cover crops for forage and grazing on his farm in rural Dubuque County. The event is part of Iowa Learning Farms' Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series. It is free and open to farmers and landowners, with reservations requested. To register or get more information, email [email protected] or call 515-294-5429.