Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Rock Creek Watershed and Mitchell County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), will host a cover crop and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) field day in Carpenter on Thursday, April 2, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Carpenter Community Center. The event is open to farmers and landowners at no cost. more

As urban farms and community gardens work to improve productivity, reduce food waste and build healthy soils, on-site composting is becoming more essential. The Iowa State University Urban Agriculture Program has released a new publication, “The ABCs of Urban Composting,” to help communities and urban growers compost safely, effectively and in compliance with state and local regulations. more

Home gardeners and commercial broccoli growers preparing for spring planting are encouraged to review practical insights from a new Iowa State University Extension and Outreach resource. “Broccoli Production in the Midwest” is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store. more

The Iowa House advanced a bill Monday that would allow farmers to disable the diesel exhaust fluid, or DEF, systems required by federal emissions laws. more

As winter lingers, many gardeners are looking for ways to get their hands dirty. Starting seeds indoors gives gardeners greater control over growing conditions, resulting in healthier, more resilient transplants. more

A new publication from the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University helps producers evaluate water quality and manage water line systems in swine barns. more

The Food Systems team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development, in partnership with the Iowa Food System Coalition, welcomes practitioners, organizations and businesses to submit proposals to present at the Iowa Farm and Food Conference, to be held June 11–12 in Waterloo. more

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, will host a virtual field day on Thursday, March 12, at 1 p.m. Central time. The event, which is available at no cost, will feature a live discussion with Dan Andersen, associate professor and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State University, Raj Raman, Morrill Professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and Philip Rockson, agricultural and biosystems engineering graduate research assistant at Iowa State. more

A bill that advanced from a House subcommittee Wednesday would create an event permit for farm-to-table meals, expand the permissible sales of raw milk and allow cottage foods to be sold in grocery stores. more

The Iowa Rural Development Council will host the 2026 RISE: Iowa Rural Summit in Dubuque on April 9 and 10. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the summit will convene rural leaders and community builders from across Iowa. more

Scott County will not allow a power plant to site on land zoned for agricultural preservation, supervisors decided Thursday after months of public debate. more

A bill advanced from an Iowa House subcommittee Thursday that would require a study on combining the state Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. more

The Iowa Pork Producers donated $1,000 worth of pork to three Scott County food pantries: Buffalo Food Pantry, North Scott Food Pantry, and QC Veteran’s Outreach. more

The Southeast Iowa Agricultural Research Association will host its annual meeting on Thursday, March 5, at the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm, located at 3115 Louisa-Washington Road, Crawfordsville. The association, in partnership with Iowa State University, oversees the Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm. more

A majority of Scott County supervisors plan to reject an ordinance change that would have cleared a controversial path for the construction of a natural gas power plant outside Maysville. more

Regional hay producers are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. more

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a clarification letter Monday to manufacturers saying that the Clean Air Act does not prohibit independent repairs to offroad diesel equipment such as farm machinery. more

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa State University, will host two woodland management and water quality workshops in February. The events are open to farmers and landowners at no cost and include a complimentary meal. more

Experienced cattle feeders are invited to take part in an Advanced Cattle Feeders Clinic on March 3 at Schwers Brothers Feedyard, located at 31662 Highway 3, New Vienna. The hands-on program is designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Iowa feedyards today. more

The Concerned Citizens of Scott County want to stop a proposed rural power plant in its tracks. more