Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Des Moines Water Works and Conservation Learning Group, will host a “Conservation on Tap” event on Thursday, October 19, from 6-7 p.m. at Big Grove Brewery & Taproom in Des Moines.

The event will provide local farmers, landowners, and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by October 16 by calling 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.

“Our intent with this event is to help build community through encouraging farmers, landowners, and urban residents to talk about topics important within the community, what keeps them up at night, what challenges they see with conservation practices, and what they want to learn more about,” said Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover cop outreach specialist. “There will be no formal presentations or agenda, just a chance to talk, ask questions, listen, and learn while enjoying a beverage and provided food. We are looking forward to learning alongside everyone else who attends.
 

Hosts at the event will include Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager of Des Moines Water Works, Dr. Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Dr. Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director. Staff from Big Grove Brewery will also join in the conversation about why water matters for brewing.

“This is another opportunity for us to partner with like-minded organizations who truly want to see improvements in water quality in our watersheds and want to be part of the solution,” Corrigan said. “We look forward to this series of discussions and engaging with attendees about where their water comes from and the water quality challenges we face in our state. We need interested landowners and citizens involved in not only discussing these challenges, but being part of the solution for improved water quality.”

To learn more about planned field days, virtual field days, webinars and other conservation events, please visit https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/events-1