Poweshiek County Farm Bureau

08/26/2026

HELP US CELEBRATE AMERICA’S FARMERS!

Don’t miss your chance to be on the sidelines when the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa Farm Bureau celebrate ANF (America Needs Farmers) Game Day on October 3! Play the ANF Game Day On-Field Experience for your shot to win 4 game tickets and sideline passes.

Hawkeye fans, get in the game and onto the field by entering to win the ANF (America Needs Farmers) Game Day On-Field Experience!

08/26/2026

August 26 Webinar: Engagement Strategies to Promote Conservation Practice Adoption
Today at 12:00 pm CT, Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar featuring Jenny Seifert, watershed outreach specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. Seifert connects, coordinates, and communicates for multi-state projects that build leadership, exchange knowledge, and drive behavior change for watershed protection, working primarily in the Mississippi River Basin. Her expertise is in behavior change communications, particularly as it relates to conservation and sustainability.

In the webinar, “Replicable Farmer Outreach Approaches to Increase Conservation Practice Adoption,” Seifert will introduce two innovative approaches to engaging farmers on the topic of conservation practice adoption. She will also highlight how these approaches have been developed, tested, and documented in playbooks that can be used or adapted by conservation educators and outreach practitioners to expand their outreach. Seifert will share examples from the playbooks that demonstrate how the approaches could be replicated or “riffed on” to augment farmer outreach programming.

“Many conservation practitioners are seeking tried-and-tested ways to bring more farmers into meaningful conversations that can lead to action and adoption,” said Seifert. “These playbooks share approaches that are proven to work, removing much of the uncertainty and potential need to recreate the wheel facing our conservation colleagues. I hope that the playbooks and discussion will inspire webinar participants to augment or construct outreach programming that will bring more farmers into the conversation and encourage them to take action.”

Participants are encouraged to ask the presenters questions. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Don't miss this webinar!
DATE: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. CDT
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Shortly before 12:00 pm CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/join

Or, join via phone:
Dial: 646-876-9923
Webinar ID: 999 3709 5398

Join a Zoom Meeting directly from your web browser using a meeting code or link.

07/22/2026

July 22 Webinar: Talking About Cover Crops as Forage Feed Sources
Today at 12:00 pm CT, Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar featuring Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and forage extension specialist, Iowa State University (ISU), in an interview segment hosted by ISU professor Matthew Helmers. Gruss’ research and extension efforts focus on optimizing forage-based systems through strategies to enhance resilience and productivity in annual and perennial forage through different management strategies. Her current research projects focus on diversification, whether it be in rotation with cover crops, intercropping for forage establishment, or utilizing different species to help break disease cycles.

In the webinar, “Beyond the Basics: Advanced Cover Crop Series – A Chat with Shelby Gruss,” Gruss and Helmers will engage in a live face-to-face discussion about the establishment and ongoing benefits of forage systems as a part of cover crop strategies. They will explore how cover crops can do double duty as a forage source by providing producers viable options for harvest or grazing to produce value beyond the traditional cover crop soil health benefits. They will dig into practical considerations that include cover crop species selection, timing, and management. In addition, they will share insights and best practices for forage production that include what producers should know about nutritional quality and grazing/haying logistics. Gruss and Helmers will also address questions from the webinar audience during the session.

"With tight margins and unpredictable weather, producers are looking for every opportunity to get more value out of their acres, and using cover crops as forage is one way to build soil health and add feed value at the same time,” said Gruss. “I am looking forward to providing practical information and answering questions about this combination of practices. I hope that participants in this webinar will leave with a clear, practical understanding of how to fit cover crops for forage into their own operation, and a strong grasp on the management decisions that make it work."

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Don't miss this webinar!
DATE: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. CDT
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Shortly before 12:00 pm CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/join

Or, join via phone:
Dial: 646-876-9923
Webinar ID: 999 3709 5398

Join a Zoom Meeting directly from your web browser using a meeting code or link.

06/17/2026

June 17 Webinar: 10 Cover Crop Impacts on Soil Health
Today at 12:00 pm CT, Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar featuring Rob Myers, Ph.D., director of the Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the University of Missouri. Myers is an agronomist with over three decades of experience working with cover crops. He currently leads several major cover crop projects, including on cover crop variety development, cover crop grazing, increased use of cover crop mixes, and cover crop education programs.

In the webinar, “Top 10 Ways that Cover Crops Impact Soil Health,” Myers will dig deep into specific ways that cover crops can boost soil health while also changing soil biology. He will highlight soil health changes that can contribute to a diverse soil ecosystem in cover-cropped fields. Topics Myers will highlight include mycorrhizal fungi, earthworms, and other soil organisms that impact rainfall infiltration, soil fertility, soil compaction, and other critical aspects of soil performance. He will also discuss the agronomic benefits associated with cover crops.

“In a time of tight profit margins for row crops, managing soil health to moderate input costs can pay long-term dividends,” said Myers. “Cover crops provide a broad range of production and soil health benefits, which can help tip the scales toward improved profitability. At the foundation, farm resiliency starts with healthy soils, and cover crops play an important part in improving the soil ecosystem.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

Don't miss this webinar!
DATE: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
TIME: 12:00 p.m. CDT
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Shortly before 12:00 pm CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/join

Or, join via phone:
Dial: 646-876-9923
Webinar ID: 999 3709 5398

Register for the Webinar

Add to Calendar

Upcoming Webinars in the Series:

Up Next: Wednesday, June 24, "Enhancing Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategies Through Standardized Tracking of Agricultural and Urban Nutrient Fluxes," with Robert Sabo, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This webinar has been submitted for a Certified Crop Adviser continuing education unit (CEU) for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

More information about this webinar is available on our website. If you can't watch the webinar live, an archived version will be available on our website: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/webinars

Copyright © 2026 Iowa Learning Farms. All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
Iowa Learning Farms
609 Bissell Road
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011

Wednesdays at 12pm CT6/17: Rob Myers, University of MissouriTop 10 Ways that Cover Crops Impact Soil Health6/24: Robert D. Sabo, U.S. EPAEnhancing Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategies Through Standardized Tracking of Agricultural and Urban Nutrient Fluxes

06/11/2026

CALLING ALL BACKYARD PITMASTERS: ENTER IOWA FARM BUREAU'S COOKOUT CONTEST AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR FOR A CHANCE TO WIN BIG

Backyard chefs, get your grills and smokers ready—the Iowa Farm Bureau is firing up its 62nd annual Cookout Contest, with more than $4,600 in cash prizes and the coveted “Grand Champion” title on the line.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, during Farm Bureau Day at the 2026 Iowa State Fair, the Grand Concourse will come alive with the sights, sounds, and aromas of up to 60 backyard chefs in a high-energy barbecue showdown.
“Year after year, participants tell us this is hands down one of the premier outdoor cooking competitions in Iowa,” said Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “It’s an event that celebrates exceptional food, brings together passionate backyard chefs, and honors the hardworking farmers who provide the quality meats we all enjoy. While winning and earning bragging rights are definitely part of the fun, at its heart, this contest is about Iowa pride and the traditions that bring our communities together.”
Competitors will showcase their skills across six categories—pork, beef, turkey, lamb, chicken, and a youth division for ages 13 to 17—vying for cash prizes.
Category winners and runners-up will receive $400 and $200, respectively, thanks to support from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Turkey Federation, North Central Poultry Association, GROWMARK, and Farm Bureau Financial Services.
One competitor will rise above the rest to claim the Grand Champion title and an additional $1,000 prize.
In the youth division, the runner-up will receive $150, while the champion takes home $300 and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.
Competitors who win a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest receive an automatic bid for the state competition. Those unable to attend a qualifying event can register online for a chance to fill remaining slots and will be notified of eligibility at the end of June.
For official rules, county contest locations, and to sign up, visit

The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa-raised meats and the farmers who provide this high-quality product with animal care and environmental sustainability as their top priority.

06/11/2026

🔥 Know a teen who rules the grill? 🔥

If they take pride in crafting the perfect grilled or smoked meat dish, encourage them to enter the Iowa Farm Bureau's Cookout Contest!

📅 When: Tuesday, August 18, 2026

📍 Where: Iowa State Fair on the Grand Concourse

👨‍🍳 Who: Youth ages 13–17 who love outdoor cooking!

🏆 Prize: $300 cash + a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association

⚠️ Spots are limited!

👉 Register and learn more:

The Cookout Contest is a celebration of Iowa-raised meats and the farmers who provide this high-quality product with animal care and environmental sustainability as their top priority.

05/28/2026

Congratulations!

05/21/2026

POWESHIEK COUNTY FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICE HAS MOVED
The Poweshiek County Farm Bureau Federation office has moved to 200 S Front St., Montezuma, IA 50171, phone number is (641) 501-6745. Our hours are Monday - Wednesday, 9-3:30, and Thursday, 9:30 - 3; lunch is from 11:30 - 12.

Send a message to learn more