Equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities.
Our featured farmer for this issue is Zak Kennedy! Since 2012, Zak has integrated cover crops into his cattle operation. Over the years, he has grazed heifers, steers and cow-calf pairs on covers throughout the fall, winter and again in the spring. Read more about Zak and grazing cover crops in the field day recap!
PROGRAM UPDATE
Spring is here and that can only mean one thing; cover crop field days! 

We'll start in Fort Dodge on Tuesday, March 26 and get an up-close look at Brent Larson’s wide variety of cover crop equipment. 

On Wednesday, Will Cannon will walk us through his trial plot in Prairie City showcasing thirteen different cover crop mixes that includes several different species and side-by-side comparisons of aerial vs. drilled application.

Find a cover crop field day near you in the list of upcoming events and be sure to RSVP!

March 26 – Fort Dodge

March 27 – Prairie City

April 2 – Osage

April 3 – Orange City

April 4 – Epworth

June 4 – La Porte City
Want to get paid to plant cover crops? Enrollment is open for the 2019 cover crop cost share program.  To determine if you are eligible, you can fill out an online application here in less than five minutes. Contracts will start going out soon so apply today!
IN THE FIELD
To many, the benefits of cover crops are not a secret. They can improve soil quality, suppress weeds and reduce erosion while also building organic matter. So why don’t we see more cover crops planted each year? The answer is cost. Thankfully, there are ways to help mitigate costs.
COVER CROP POLL
Would you be more inclined to graze cover crops if you could get cost-share for fence and water
Yes
No
Willing to have cover crops grazed but need to partner with livestock farmer
UPCOMING EVENTS
Field Day   -   Cover Crops
March 26 | 4 - 7 p.m. | Fort Dodge

Field Day -   Cover Crops
March 27 | 4 - 7 p.m.  Prairie City

Field Day -  Cover Crops
April 2 | 4 - 7 p.m.  Osage
Field Day -  Cover Crops
April 3 | 4 - 7 p.m.  Orange City

Field Day -   Cover Crops
April 4 | 4 - 7 p.m. | Epworth

Field Day - Cover Crop and Water Quality Field Day
April 9 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Washington
Practical Farmers events are in blue. Non-PFI events are in red.
CONTACT OUR COVER CROPS TEAM
Alisha Bower
Strategic Initiatives Manager
(515) 232-5661
Sarah Carlson
Strategic Initiatives Director
(515) 232-5661
Shannon Kooima
Strategic Initiatives Assistant
(515) 232-5661
Sierra Becker
Sustainable Agriculture Assistant
(515) 232-5661