Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-12-02 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-12-02/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-11-25 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-11-25/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-11-18/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-11-11 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-11-11/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-11-04 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-11-04/

PFI: Cover Crops and Conservation Across All Acres
2026-11-03 00:00 - 23:59 | Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa, Iowa
Jackson and Amanda Drost are part of Drost Farms, a multigenerational family farm in Mahaska County, Iowa, raising corn, soybeans and cattle. Around 2010, the Drosts flew on their first acres of rye cover crop to graze with their cow-calf herd. Those initial acres have increased in recent years. While using primarily rye and oats, they have begun adding other species like turnips and camelina. They also use buffer strips, sediment basins, terraces, waterways and saturated buffers.

Jackson’s passion for farming started at a young age. He’s now passing that love to sons Richard and Andy, who have started their own popcorn business. The Drosts are excited to share how and why they use cover crops on 100% of their acres, and how they steward the land and water for future generations.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-10-28 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-10-28/

PFI: Increasing a Northeast Iowa Farm's Resiliency by Adapting Practices and Equipment
2026-10-24 00:00 - 23:59 | Farmersburg, Farmersburg, Iowa
Brian Keehner’s goal of adding diversity to his 820 acres of crop fields began when he took over the family farm in 2012. He is constantly trialing new approaches, like frost-seeding, to find the best practices for his farm. Brian plants rye on every acre in the fall and has trialed planting cover crops into that rye in the spring. He has also found equipment that works well for his practices, including a combine he retrofitted to be able to plant rye in the fall while he combines the crop.

At this field day, you’ll see how Brian modified his combine to save time and resources. You’ll also see the coulter bar he uses to band his fertilizer and plant cover crops.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-10-21/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-10-14 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-10-14/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-10-07 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-10-07/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-09-30 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-09-30/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-09-23/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-09-16/

Iowa Water Conference
2026-09-16 00:00 - 2026-09-17 23:59 | Iowa
Celebrate 20 Years of Impact
Mark your calendars for the 20th annual Iowa Water Conference, taking place September 16–17, 2026. For the first time, we gather at Historic Arnolds Park along beautiful Lake Okoboji—a unique and relevant setting for connection and learning at the heart of Iowa’s treasured lakes region. The 2026 event celebrates two decades of advancing water solutions and the people who make it possible, honoring our legacy and inspiring our next chapter.​
Honoring a Legacy, Looking Forward
This year’s 20th anniversary theme will spotlight Iowa’s water milestones, while challenging our community to set bold new goals. Join the network of professionals, researchers, and advocates shaping the future of water in Iowa and the Midwest.​
Save the Dates, Submit Your Ideas
Join us September 16–17, 2026, at Historic Arnolds Park, Lake Okoboji. Be a part of this milestone event—whether presenting at a session, engaging with exhibitors, or joining our celebration on the lakeshore. Please see the Call for Presentations tab on this website for detailed information. In addition, you are invited to submit your ideas for a pre-conference, or conference tour activity. To submit your idea, please complete this form.
All submissions will be reviewed and tour activities chosen by April 1, 2026.
For more details and updates, check back on our website or contact the conference team.

PFI: No-till, Covers, & Livestock
2026-09-12 00:00 - 23:59 | Waverly, Waverly, Iowa
Justin Wehling began farming in 2023 with a conventional approach. He is now making small changes and trialing different practices to improve the soil health on his land. Justin moved to no-till and is experimenting with roller-crimping. He is part of PFI’s N Rate Risk Protection Program to try to reduce his inputs. He is also getting livestock on his land by working with a neighbor who has cattle, who’s now grazing Justin’s cover crops.

Come to this field day to experience a farm at the beginning of its cover crop and soil health regeneration journey. We’ll see cattle grazing a diverse cover crop mix and a trial for relay cropping. Justin will talk about what he’s learned from different practices he has tried and uses today. He’ll also discuss reducing inputs and costs, and his plans for the future of his farm.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-09-09 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-09-09/

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-09-02 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-09-02/

PFI: Establishing Native Historical Prairie Through Targeted Seed Selection
2026-09-01 00:00 - 23:59 | Coon Rapids, Coon Rapids, Iowa
Jon Judson and his wife, Kay Neumann, own and operate Diversity Farms, a sprawling 300-acre property comprising woodlands, wetlands, prairie and a small pasture for grass-fed beef as well as a small orchard. Over time, Jon has reestablished prairie from remnant prairie, emphasizing strong genetics for robust reconstructions. His passion has led to him to start his own business in prairie restoration.

For this field day, wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground. Jon will show how it’s possible to create resilient prairie through targeted seed selection. He’ll also discuss opportunities for setting aside land into permanent easements and turning former cropland back into the habitat that existed historically.

PFI: Using Data for Informed Decision-Making in Northwest Iowa
2026-08-31 00:00 - 23:59 | Sioux Rapids, Sioux Rapids, Iowa
Will Jones farms just under 3,000 acres of row crops outside of Sioux Rapids, Iowa. Data is central to how he makes management decisions for those acres. Will is in his third year of planting corn after corn on 90% of his acres based on the carbon scores in his soil. To sample soil, he pulls cores from zones in his fields. He also does tissue sampling to get a snapshot of what’s going on in his fields, adjusting his management plan accordingly. Will has planted triticale, rye, turnips and radishes for cover crops and now only plants winter camelina.

At this field day, we’ll see how this data fits together. We’ll visit fields that are a result of these practices and look at the equipment Will uses for strip-tilling. We’ll also view data from the soil and tissue sampling and discuss how it has informed Will’s decisions.

PFI: Boosting a Farm’s Resiliency Through Cover Crops and Crop Rotations
2026-08-27 08:00 - 17:00 | Marengo, Marengo, Iowa
Ross McCaw began planting cover crops in 2019 to try to reduce his nitrogen inputs. He’s taking part in a nitrogen reduction trial through PFI’s on-farm research program to document the results. In 2023, Ross started planting a three-crop rotation to raise more rye for seed and get all of the benefits of cover crops. He added plant growth regulators to achieve a healthier rye stand for harvesting. After the rye comes out, he drills in a diverse cover crop mix. Ross is partnering with his landlord to graze his 25 cattle in the fall and has added a grazing mix to the rotation in one of his fields.

At this field day, you’ll see the diverse cover crop mix growing after the rye has been harvested, and before the cattle graze it. We’ll also see a field planted in cover crops going into corn the following year.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-08-26 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-08-26/

CDI Annual Conference
2026-08-25 00:00 - 2026-08-26 23:59 | Ames, Ames, IA
Based on feedback from our membership, we have pushed back the dates by one day.
Our conference will be Tuesday and Wednesday, August 25 & 26. Look for details and registration information this spring.

Conservation Districts of Iowa Annual Conference
2026-08-25 00:00 - 2026-08-26 23:59 | Iowa
Annual meeting for conservation districts around Iowa; topics will include conservation planning, practices, and partnership strategies.

PFI: Sustaining a Legacy of Stewardship
2026-08-22 00:00 - 23:59 | Harlan, Harlan, Iowa
Rosmann Family Farms is a 700-acre certified organic farm that supports three generations of the Rosmann family with a mixture of corn, soybeans, popcorn, small grains, forages and pasture as well as cattle, hogs and chickens. Across decades, the Rosmanns have established a patchwork of 47 different fields throughout their whole farm. They are strong proponents of contour farming, ridge-till and producing compost to fertilize their fields.

The Rosmanns care deeply about continuing their legacy of stewardship, advocating for practices and policies that support healthy farms and landscapes. Ron Rosmann will share a few words about his new book “A Practical Farmer’s Journey: A History of Community, Stewardship and Resilience” before the family leads a tour of the farm and practices that inspired the publication.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-08-19 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-08-19/

PFI: Oxbows to Improve Water Quality
2026-08-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Webster City, Webster City, Iowa
In 2018, Selden Spencer purchased farmland along White Fox Creek in Hamilton County, Iowa. The 100-acre property, previously owned by Ray Fry, is a mixture of cropland, woodland, ravines and riparian corridors. Ray still manages the property today. Before he sold the land, Ray worked diligently alongside The Nature Conservancy to restore an oxbow along the creek. These U-shaped former stream bends remain one of the most effective ways to improve water quality on agricultural land.

Selden and Ray recognize the importance of oxbows and work together to maintain it. They also have plans for future conservation projects. At this field day, be prepared to walk on uneven ground as Selden shares how oxbows help Iowa’s water quality and habitat. Bring a lawn chair for opening introductions as seating will be limited.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-08-12/

PFI: Virtual Cover Crop Workshop
2026-08-12 00:00 - 23:59 | Virtual
This virtual cover crop workshop offers an afternoon of sessions for farmers who are currently using cover crops in their farm practices, as well as those considering it. All are welcome to attend! You’ll hear about grazing cover crops and seasonal cover crop management. We’ll also share the basics of how to get started with cover crops and bringing livestock back to the land.

Iowa Learning Farms Webinar
2026-08-05 12:00 - 13:00 | https://www.iaagwater.org/event/iowa-learning-farms-webinar/2026-08-05/
