This one-day event brings Extension professionals together from across Iowa — and across many program areas — to explore, connect, and learn. We’ll dig into natural resource issues, discover new opportunities, and build relationships — all while enjoying the great outdoors. This year’s program is on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Please join us the…
Get the inside scoop on global trade, biofuels, ag policy and other factors shaping the future of the soybean industry. You’ll find practical, farmer-driven discussions on how these topics impact your operation. This event includes a Jones Family Dairy Tour. Jones Family Dairy is a fifth-generation family-owned dairy farm near Spencer, Iowa, operated by…
Prairies evolved with periodic disturbance from drought, fire and grazing. Without these pulsed “setbacks,” woody encroachment or grass threatens to diminish the robust diversity that’s the hallmark of the tallgrass prairie. Over the last few years, Stennie Nelson has been working with Doug Chafa, land manager and biologist with the Iowa DNR, as part Doug’s…
8:30 AM Registration and refreshments 9:00 Opening Remarks and Welcome – Greg Guenther, President of the North Central Iowa Research Association 9:15 Current Farm Updates and Projects – Matthew Schnabel and Ben Petersen 9:30 Load For Plot Tours and Demonstrations: • Mid-season oat production practices with Dr. Margaret Smith, Forage Agronomist with Albert Lea Seed…
Bob and Sara Pearson grow organic corn, soybeans and oats on their farm in Kossuth County, Iowa. Sara started off with an organic vegetable farm in 2008 but gradually switched her focus to row crops as family rental acres became available. By 2015, Bob and Sara decided to fully focus their energy on transitioning their…
Mark and Melissa Schleisman and their family raise popcorn, field corn, soybeans, rye, wheat, oats, cattle and hogs at M&M Farms in Calhoun County, Iowa. Soil and water conservation are a priority for the family. They use cover crops on all their fields, grazing the covers whenever possible. Over the past five years, they have…
Field Day
Derek Young is a fourth-generation farmer who began farming in 1993 with his father and grandfather, running a soybean, corn and cattle operation. He strip-tills over half of his corn acres and no-tills most of his soybean acres while also maintaining conventional fields. He has covers flown on in the fall on over 1,000 acres,…
Hear from Iowa farmers about what it takes to clean up Iowa’s water – including a panel Q&A. Registration starts at 9 AM…program begins at 9:30 AM with lunch at 12:00 PM with 2 PM wrap up. The agenda includes: Matt Helmers of Iowa State University talking about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Live demos…
Karl Palmberg’s Larchwood, Iowa, farm has been in his family since 1938. But when he left for college, the operation was mothballed and put into hibernation. After retiring from the military, Karl returned to the farm and is building it back from scratch. He has been reevaluating the fundamentals and pivoting what he does to…