Field Days
2022 Botany Beginners Managing Prairie Strips Field Day
We held a field day to go along with our 2022 iteration of Botany Beginners that focused on managing prairie strips. Participants learned about the history of the Roadman Farm and how prairie strips have been implemented and managed over the years. Dr. Justin Meissen led a hands-on plant identification tour around the farm, looking at both strips ranging from five years to first-year plantings which requires seedling ID.
Recordings of the lectures can be found on our YouTube page.
2020 Prairie Dormant Seeding Field Day - Recorded on Thursday, November 19th
The Prairie on Farms Program at the Tallgrass Prairie Center invites you to watch our recorded dormant seeding field day. This field day focuses on plantings with a strong forb (wildflower) component. If you are planting pollinator habitat, or your seed mix contains 50:50 forb-to-grass seed ratio, you should consider a fall installation. Join experts from the Tallgrass Prairie Center and ISU STRIPS for practical advice and suggestions for a successful dormant seeding.
Prairie on Farms field days address how to plant successful native plantings on agricultural fields, and are free and open to conservation planners, technical service providers, landowners, land managers, farmers, and anyone else interested in learning more about the role native prairie can play on farms for water quality improvement, monarch recovery efforts, and increasing habitat for wildlife and pollinators.
2019 Prairie on Farms Field Days - Wednesday June 19th and Thursday October 17th
The Prairie on Farms Program at the Tallgrass Prairie Center provided two field days this year. The field days addressed how to plant successful native prairie plantings on agricultural fields and will be free and welcome the public, conservation planners, technical service providers, landowners, land managers or anyone interested in learning more about the role native prairie vegetation can play on farms for water quality improvement, monarch recovery efforts and increasing habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Attendees will learned site preparation and planting techniques, the benefits of first year establishment mowing, how to determine the proper seed mix for your site, how to evaluate the success of your native vegetation planting and much more!
June 19th - This field day took place in Fayette County, right in the middle of Pollinator Week! Participants experienced a 1/2 day morning tour stopping at several farms where natives were established. Attendees had the opportunity to see different planting mixes and ask questions from conservation professionals and planting cooperators.
October 17th - This field day took place at Roadman Farm, in Dike, IA. Participants saw in-field prairie strips planted in 2016, and learn about prescribed burning as an option for management. Attendees had the opportunity to learn the importance of fire in a native prairie planting, best practices, and also connect with local resources.
Agricultural Conservation Working Group
The Agricultural Conservation Working Group consists of conservation professionals, farm managers, landowners, and farmers/producers working together to promote prairie and other conservation practices on the landscape. The group first convened in 2016 and continues to meet annually. The group shares ideas and best practices, networks and identifies partnership opportunities, addresses challenges, and leverages resources. Some topics of discussion include:
- Native seed availability and seed mix design
- Development of prescribed fire culture/communities
- Landowner/farm manager/tenant relationships
- Conservation practices and cost-share availability
Members of the Ag Conservation Working Group engage in dynamic conversations that lead to action. See summaries from previous working group meetings to learn more:
Next Meeting - TBA: Expected Spring 2023
New members are welcome. To learn more about the Ag Conservation Working Group, contact Andy Olson at andy.olson@uni.edu
If you wish to be notified about the next Agricultural Conservation Working Group meeting: