Events Archive
The spring 2025 Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series will showcase “Insights from Next Gen Water Researchers” with presentations by current and recent Iowa State University graduate students, discussing studies they are or have been involved in and how water quality research is helping inform their careers.
- Strategic Integraiton of Miscanthus Under Future Climate Conditions
Kelsie Ferin, Research scientist, UW-Madison, Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences
- Beyond Initial Adoption: Understanding the Dynamics of Conservation Practice Continuity in Iowa Agriculture
Zhushan Du, PhD student, Economics
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Lyon County and Conservation Learning Group will host a “Conservation On Tap” event, Thursday, March 20, from 5:30-7 p.m. at Rock River Brewing Company in Rock Rapids, Iowa.
The event will provide local farmers, landowners and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. Hosts will include Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Director, and Mark Licht, Iowa State University Extension Cropping Systems Specialist. Dan Vander Zee, owner of Rock River Brewing Company, will also join in the conversations as to why water quality matters for brewing.
Please RSVP as soon as possible to To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by March 13 as soon as possible to ilf@iastate.edu, or 515-294-5429.
To learn more about planned field days, virtual field days, webinars and other conservation events, please visit https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/events-1
Learn about Evaluating Rotations of Cover Crops and Summer Annual Forages at a virtual field day tomorrow, March 13, at 1:00 CT, hosted by Iowa Learning Farms, INRC and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Join the live discussion with beef specialists Chris Clark, Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Patrick Wall. More details at: Evaluating Rotations of Cover Crops and Summer Annual Forages Virtual Field Day March 13 – Iowa Learning Farms
The spring 2025 Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series will showcase “Insights from Next Gen Water Researchers” with presentations by current and recent Iowa State University graduate students, discussing studies they are or have been involved in and how water quality research is helping inform their careers.
Cover Cropping and Application Strategies for Water Quality and High Yields
Philip Rockson, PhD student, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Leveraging Microbial Communities to Enhance Woodchip and Corncob Bioreactor Design and Performance
Taylor Vroman, PhD student, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Can Precision Planting of Cereal Rye Mitigate Corn Seedling Disease and Yield Drag?
Join Iowa Learning Farms, the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Iowa State University for a live discussion with Alison Robertson, ISU professor of plant pathology, entomology, and microbiology Professor, and Peter O’Brien, research agronomist with the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service.
The spring 2025 Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series will showcase “Insights from Next Gen Water Researchers” with presentations by current and recent Iowa State University graduate students, discussing studies they are or have been involved in and how water quality research is helping inform their careers.
The Social Science of BMP Adoption
Chris Morris, postdoctoral research associate, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Restored Wetlands: How Does Vegetation and Nutrient Reduction Affect Algae Communities?
Grace Jackson, master’s student, Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology
Sponsored by the Conservation Learning Group and Iowa Learning Farms, highlighting research supported by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.
In an Iowa Learning Farms webinar, “Exploring the Ecology of Water Quality Wetlands in Iowa,” ISU associate profesor Adam Janke, in the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and anagement, will highlight the function and performance of nutrient treatment wetlands that have been constructed across Iowa to improve surface water quality in drained agricultural landscapes. He will draw on research comparing the ecology of these wetlands with nearby wetlands and discuss how they are contributing to wildlife conservation across the state.
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center's Fall 2024 Seminar Series will focus on recent trends in surface and groundwater nutrients across the US, highlighting the status of nutrients and water quality around the country, including in Nebraska, the Mississippi River, the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.
Agricultural Phosphorus and Lake Erie
Presenter: Nathan Manning, Research Scientist, National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg, University
Register at https://go.iastate.edu/WYDMXJ to participate online.
AMES, Iowa – Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Des Moines Water Works, Conservation Learning Group and Iowa Nutrient Research Center, will host a “Conservation on Tap” event, Thursday, Dec. 5, 5:30-7 p.m. at Fenceline Beer Lab in Huxley. The event will provide local farmers, landowners and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by Dec. 2 by calling 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center's Fall 2024 Seminar Series will focus on recent trends in surface and groundwater nutrients across the US, highlighting the status of nutrients and water quality around the country, including in Nebraska, the Mississippi River, the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.
Nutrient and Sediment Loads Measured from the Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring Network
Presenter: Jimmy Webber, hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Nutrient and sediment loads are changing over time in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This presentation will describe how the USGS uses a river monitoring network to assess these water-quality trends. Recent load and trend results from this monitoring network will be presented and discussed in context with Chesapeake Bay water-quality goals.
View the recording, at:https://go.iastate.edu/PIWMGT.
A wetland field day near Bayard, Iowa, is being hosted by Iowa Learning Farms and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at the farm of Guthrie County landowner David Greteman, who will discuss a newly completed water quality enhancement wetland constructed on his farm. Other presenters include INRC Assistant Director Kay Stefanik, who will talk about the importance of wetlands from both a water quality and ecological perspective.The event is free and open to farmers and landowners, and includes a complimentary meal. Reservations are required to ensure adequate space and food. To RSVP, please contact Liz Ripley by Nov. 6 at 515-294-5429 or ilf@iastate.edu.
A Conservation on Tap event will provide local farmers, landowners and urban residents with a chance to discuss and ask questions. Hosts at the event will include Ted Corrigan, CEO and General Manager of Des Moines Water Works, Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center Director, and Mark Licht, Iowa State University Extension Cropping Systems Specialist. James Heckathorns, brewer at Lua Brewing, will also join in the conversations as to why water quality matters for brewing.The event is presented by Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Des Moines Water Works and Conservation Learning Group. There will be an opportunity for networking following the event. To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by October 10 by calling 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu. The event is free and open to the public.
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center's Fall 2024 Seminar Series will focus on recent trends in surface and groundwater nutrients across the US, highlighting the status of nutrients and water quality around the country, including in Nebraska, the Mississippi River, the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.
Long-Term Nutrient Trends from the Mississippi River Basin into the Gulf
Presenter: Lori Sprague, national program manager, Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs) Program, U.S. Geological Survey
The USGS has monitored nutrients in the Mississippi River since the 1970’s. This long-term observational record is updated with new monitoring data annually, which is used to both forecast and understand the size of the hypoxic zone in the Gulf each year as well as to track progress toward nutrient reduction goals set by the interagency Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Task Force. This presentation will delve into long-term trend assessment methods, results and possible causes.
Register at https://go.iastate.edu/WYDMXJ to participate online.
Download the Fall 2024 seminar series flyer to post or share.
Iowa Nutrient Research Center Director Matthew Helmers will be one of three featured presenters for a national webinar, Sept. 24, 11:00 a.m., CDT, The Power of Collaborative Agricultural Research, hosted by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research to mark its 10-year anniversary. Speakers will highlight FFAR-supported collaborative research efforts that provide examples of how partners across the food and agriculture sector can enact meaningful change and meet sustainability goals. Get more details or register for the event, at: https://foundationfar.org/events/the-power-of-collaborative-agricultural-research/
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center's Fall 2024 Seminar Series will focus on recent trends in surface and groundwater nutrients across the US, highlighting the status of nutrients and water quality around the country, including in Nebraska, the Mississippi River, the Chesapeake Bay and Lake Erie.
Nitrate in Nebraska
Presenter: Troy Gilmore, associate professor and groundwater hydrologist, University of Nebraska
Most Nebraskans rely on groundwater for drinking water. Therefore, monitoring and managing groundwater nitrate levels are important tasks in Nebraska. In this talk we will provide an overview of nitrate levels in the state and highlight recent research focused on monitoring methods and impacts of groundwater nitrate.
A recording of this session is provided on Youtube, at:https://go.iastate.edu/OM0HRP.
A one-day Drainage Research Forum Thursday, September 5, will focus on agricultural drainage research projects and related issues. The forum is jointly sponsored by Iowa State University and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, the University of Minnesota and South Dakota State University.
Topics will be of interest to drainage stakeholders, including state and federal agency staff, county supervisors, crop consultants, academics, contractors and farmers and others interested in drainage issues and research topics.
This year’s program is scheduled for 9:00-3:45 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, Ames, Iowa. More details, including the preliminary agenda and registration information are available at: https://www.regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/drainageresearch/.
Drainage Water Recycling Field Day
September 4, 2024 | 5:00-7:00pm
Mark Schleisman’s Farm
1532 365th St.
Lake City, IA 51449
Hosted by the Iowa Learning Farms in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center. Please RSVP in advance to ilf@iastate.edu or call 515-294-5429. The event is free and open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.
During this field day, attendees will have a chance to get a closer look at new installations being used to collect in-field data on the performance of these systems. These sites are being studied as part of a research project led by the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Iowa Soybean Association analyzing drainage water recycling’s costs and benefits.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center will host a free half-day workshop on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy for farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals on June 18th from 9. a.m to 2 p.m. at the East Shelter House, Swan Lake State Park near Carroll, Iowa.
A “Conservation On Tap,” event will be held Thursday, June 13, from 6-7 p.m. at Confluence Brewing Company, 3715 West 190th St., Des Moines. Hosts will include Ted Corrigan, CEO and general manager of the Des Moines Water Works, Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director, and Liz Ripley, Iowa Learning Farms conservation and cover crop outreach specialist. Staff from Confluence Brewing Co. will also join in the conversation as to why water quality matters for brewing.To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by June 10 to 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Nutrient Research Center will host a free half-day workshop on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy for farmers, landowners, and conservation professionals on June 11th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Northwest Research and Demonstration Farm near Sutherland, IA.
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center's Spring 2024 Seminar Series will Focus on the Future – Students & Their Contributions to Water Quality Research. Hybrid monthly sessions from 3:10-4:00 p.m. take place online and at 1306 Elings Hall on the Iowa State University campus.
Get them on your calendar: Feb. 14, March 6, April 10, and May 8.
Sessions feature current and former graduate students who are or have been involved with water quality research at Iowa State.
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Conservation Learning Group, will host “Conservation On Tap,” Tuesday, April 30 from 6-7 p.m. at Alluvial Brewing, 3715 West 190th St., Ames. ISU hosts will include Mark Licht, associate professor and extension cropping systems specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient Research Center director, and Liz Ripley, ILF conservation and cover crop outreach specialist. To ensure adequate space and food, please RSVP by calling 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu.
April 16: C-CHANGE Grass to Gas Webinar
INRC Director Matt Helmers will discuss “Grassland ecosystem impacts: making perennial grass to gas a strategy for regenerative farms,” on Tuesday, April 16, at noon CDT, for the 2023-2024 Grass to Gas Webinar Series, Innovating a New Future for Anaerobic Digestion.