Cover crops help prevent nitrate loss and protect soil from erosion, but also add work to plant in the fall. What if you could have a cover crop that you only had to plant once? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will examine this topic during three field days across the state in July and August. 

Registration for all field days begin at 11:30 am, with the program beginning at 12:30. 

• Wednesday, July 24, Corning, IA
• Wednesday, August 7, Nashua, IA
• Wednesday, August 14, Boone, IA

Participants will learn about recent research on the use of perennial groundcover on farmland. Regenerating America’s Working Landscapes to Enhance Nature Resources and Public Goods through Perennial Groundcover. Regen PGC researchers are looking at ways to make year-round groundcover on cropland commonplace. Dr. Daniel Andersen, associate professor, Iowa State University, agricultural and biosystems engineering, encourages people to "come learn about the potential of perennial cover crops and the environmental challenges of this new approach.” 

Field day attendees will have the opportunity to learn about using perennials as groundcover within corn and soybean systems, view plots of perennial ground cover, hear system management and chemical suppression tips, and learn about economic opportunities perennial groundcover offers.

The field days are free and open to the public, but preregistration is required to ensure adequate space and food. Please register online at: https://go.iastate.edu/PKI7U1. 

Additional information about the RegenPGC project can be found on the RegenPGC website.