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For Immediate Release: Friday, Aug. 24, 2018
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encouraged
farmers attending the 2018 Farm Progress Show to visit “Conservation Central” on
the show grounds to learn about ways they can help prevent soil erosion and
protect Iowa’s water quality. The 2018 Farm Progress Show will be held Aug. 28
to 30 at the Central Iowa Expo near Boone.
“The Farm Progress Show is the largest outdoor farm show in
the U.S. and is a great opportunity to reach farmers and have a conversation
about water quality and conservation,” Naig said. “We are excited to work with
federal, state and private partners to engage farmers and talk about the
conservation options available.”
Conservation Central (booth 817) will have a cover crop
demonstration plot with six different strips showcasing different species and
seed mixes that can be used in Iowa. The
Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District Soil Health trailer will also
be on site at Conservation Central and includes soil health tests, tools,
pictures and other visuals to educate farmers.
The booth will also have experts available to talk about
soil health, water quality and wildlife as well as information about state and
federal programs that are available to help farmers interested in adding
conservation measures to their farm.
Yardsticks will be given to farmers visiting to discuss conservation
efforts.
Conservation Central partners include the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Conservation Districts of Iowa, USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Iowa DNR, Iowa DOT, Trees Forever, Pheasants
Forever, Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association, USDA Farm Service
Agency, US Geological Service, the Iowa Association of Water Agencies and the
Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Society.
In
addition to the resources available at Conservation Central, many other
organizations will have information about conservation and water quality
available during the show.
Iowa
State University’s (ISU) tent will include information about soil, water and
crops. ISU researchers, faculty and extension specialists will also be present
at their tent at the corner of Central Avenue and Seventh
Street on the show grounds. Learn
more about Iowa State’s activities during the show here.
Practical Farmers of Iowa (booth 9515) will have experienced
cover crop farmers available daily to answer cover crop production
questions. Each of the farmers have expertise
in different aspects of cover crop usage.
A full list of farmers and additional information is available at www.practicalfarmers.org.
The Conservation Learning Group (CLG), a think tank dedicated to addressing
conservation and environmental challenges, will partner with ISU Extension and
Outreach at the Farm Progress Show, to highlight educational outreach about the
benefits of no-till and cover crops in the soybean year of the corn-soybean
rotation. The campaign, which will include a social media strategy featuring #NoTillb4Beans and #CoverYourBeans,
will launch during the show and will continue throughout the following year.
The 65th Farm Progress Show, the largest outdoor farm event in the
United States, will be held August 28-30 in Boone, Iowa. The show hosts over 550
exhibitors during the three-day event. More
information can be found at www.FarmProgressShow.com.
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For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
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