AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crop and plant disease workshop as part of their “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series” in Ames on Tuesday, March 24, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost and includes a complimentary meal.
“Cover crops play a critical role in keeping Iowa’s soil and water resources healthy. Though cover crops have many benefits, challenges like plant pathogens and disease can negatively impact the following cash crop,” said Mitch Harting, water outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms. “This workshop will help farmers understand pathogen movement between cereal rye and corn, and the best management practices to reduce yield declines.”
Attendees will also get insight into how they can implement alternative cover crops on their operation.
The workshop will feature Alison Robertson, extension field crop pathologist at Iowa State University, who will share information on the disease interactions between cereal rye cover crops and the corn that follows. Robertson will also offer a hands-on demonstration, allowing attendees to see seedling disease first-hand among different cover crop treatments. The agenda will also include Mark Kenney, a local farmer who will offer insight into managing an oat cover crop as an alternative to rye. Additionally, Ethan Thies, conservation field specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will discuss other alternatives to cereal rye ahead of corn and best management practices to avoid disease when using cover crops.
The field day will be held at the Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab, located at 3800 University Boulevard, Ames. The event is open to farmers and landowners, though reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Harting at 515-294-8912 or ilf@iastate.edu by March 17. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.
Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information, visit Iowa Learning Farms.
About Iowa Learning Farms
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
https://kwbg.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-24-26-Advanced-CC-Workshop-Flyer.pdf
(contributed press release, ISUANR)
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