The benefits of reducing the amount of land area that’s being mowed across rural Iowa is the topic of an upcoming Iowa Learning Farms webinar at noon May 13. Reducing the size and the number of mowed areas has many layered benefits for landowners and the land, says Adam Janke, ISU Extension wildlife specialist.

Janke will compare the costs and environmental benefits of three management options for existing idle turf grass areas in rural landscapes. Changing management of these areas from turf monocultures to diverse native perennial plants, like those found in pollinator plantings, can improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat. He says making the change from turf to native perennial plants will also save landowners money and time.

Put idle acres to better use

“Farm profit margins are exceptionally tight, and the need for every available acre in Iowa to work for soil, water and wildlife is greater than ever,” Janke says. “This work will show how creating new habitat areas on a farm can help to improve conservation outcomes, while also saving time and money for the landowners.”

Janke, an ISU assistant professor who studies wildlife habitat relationships in working agricultural landscapes, hopes that participants in the May 13 webinar will take away new perspectives and ideas for what they can do with idle areas that already exist on their farms and acreages.

A BETTER USE: Diverse native perennial plants, like those in pollinator plantings, can improve water quality, soil health and wildlife habitat.

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on May 13, you need to click this URL or type this web address into your internet browser: iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172. Or go to iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172. Or you can join from a phone at 312-626-6799 or 646-876-9923, using meeting ID 364 284 172.

Archived for later watching

This webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so it can be watched at any time at iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars. A certified crop adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Information about how to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

Source: ILF, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content in this information asset.