Learning Farms to Host Conservation on Tap near Ames

Apr 19, 2024

By Ann Staudt and Elizabeth Ripley

Local farmers, landowners and urban residents can discuss conservation topics and issues during “Conservation on Tap,” Tuesday, April 30, at Alluvial Brewing, 6-7 p.m.

The event is organized by Iowa Learning Farms and offers a casual setting to discuss practices aimed to improve water quality and soil health, as well as managing risk from weather variability and climate change. Other partners include Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, as well as the Conservation Learning Group.

There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. Alluvial Brewing is located at 3715 W. 190th St., Ames. To ensure adequate space and food, RSVP 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, conservation outreach specialist Iowa Learning Farms. “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 will include Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; Matt Helmers, professor and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State; and Liz Ripley.

Learn about future field days, virtual field days, webinars and other conservation events on the Learning Farms events page.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?