Farmers looking to increase their knowledge on small grain production, growing vegetables or managing cover crops may want to log on to one or more of the free webinars offered this winter by Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Since launching the free webinars--farminars-- in 2009, the group has produced more than 100 online presentations featuring farmers and experts presenting on a wide range of farm production and business management topics.

This year's winter series starts Jan. 12, and runs each Tuesday, from 7-8:30 p.m. CST, through March 8. Featured topics span a wide range of farming enterprises, and are geared toward beginning and established farmers alike. The interactive format allows attendees to listen in and ask questions using a chatbox. Each farminar is recorded and archived at practicalfarmers.org for later viewing.

The series kicks off with a string of presentations covering the benefits of growing small grains like rye and oats. Such small grains crops were once grown on millions of acres in Iowa, but are now hard to find across the state. The first presentation – "Nuts and Bolts of Small Grain Production" – will be led by Klass Martens, a nationally-recognized farmer and advocate for organic and sustainable practices. Klass will describe the many small grains he grows in New York, and discuss ways to add a third crop to Iowa's rotations.

Subsequent small grains-focused farminars will examine specific small grains crops. On Jan. 19, Iowa farmer Mark Peterson will discuss how raising cereal rye allows more time in the fall to plant a diverse cover crop mix for grazing livestock. The following week, Iowa farmer George Schaefer will present on the benefits oats can provide to an organic crop rotation.

Other farminar topics in the 2016 winter season include the pros and cons of moveable high tunnels; herbicide restriction considerations when using cover crops as forage; seed-starting on two different farms; walk-in cooler considerations and construction; important farm financials; and neonicotinoid seed treatments.

The full farminar schedule, including titles, descriptions and speakers, is appended at the bottom of this release, along with a separate list of speakers organized alphabetically by town.

To participate: Go to practicalfarmers.org/farminars and click the "Join in" button and select to sign in as "Guest." All farminars are from 7-8:30 p.m. CST on Tuesday evenings.

Source: Practical Farmers of Iowa