Iowa Learning Farms will host a strip-tillage and bioreactor field day near Eldora on Wednesday, November 15 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. beginning at the Hunt Farm with host Jacob Bolson, and moving to the Hardin County Emergency Management building in Eldora. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

The goal of this field day is to share the benefits of strip tillage and bioreactors on Iowa’s soil health and water quality. Strip-tillage can result in reduced soil erosion, less fertilizer runoff, increased organic matter and potential weed suppression benefits. Water quality can also be greatly improved through the use of bioreactors. Bioreactors utilize microbial action to reduce nitrate loads in water learving a field through tile outlets.

Weather permitting, the field day will begin with a farm tour with Jacob Bolson at the Hunt Farm. Following the tour, the program will move indoors to the Hardin County Emergency Management building at 1031 Edgington Ave, Eldora, Iowa. Jacob Handsaker with Hands-On Excavating will discuss the installation process of a wood chip bioreactor. Japer County farmer Will Cannon will then discuss the goals and benefits of strip-tillage. The field day will conclude with a complimentary meal.

The field day will begin at the Hunt Farm at 28989 State Highway 175, Eldora, Iowa. In case of inclement weather, the field day will begin at the Hardin County Emergency Management building at the 1031 Edgington Ave, Eldora, Iowa. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, though we require reservations to ensure adequate space and food. For reasonable accommodations and to RSVP, please contact Mitch Harting at 515-294-8912 or ilf@iastate.edu by November 10. Attendees will be entered in a drawing for ISU Prairie Strips honey.