Bioreactor Field Day

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Iowa Corn and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will host a bioreactor field day on Wednesday, July 31 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bob Floss’ farm in rural Baxter. The event is free and open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal.

Edge of field practices like bioreactors, wetlands and saturated buffers are key to reducing nitrate loss from agricultural land in Iowa. Through a natural biological process microorganisms living in the systems use the incoming nitrate for respiration and reduce the nitrate levels from incoming tile drainage. Together with infield practices like cover crops and no-tillage, these practices will help reach Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals.

Field day attendees will view and learn about the two bioreactors installed in the spring of 2018 on the Floss farm. Following a meal, the agenda will feature Carrie Dodds, District 5 field manager with Iowa Corn, and a demonstration by the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station On The Edge trailer, highlighting what is happening beneath the surface in bioreactors and saturated buffers. Weather permitting, the program will continue at the bioreactor site with Bob Floss and Chris Herbold, Herbold Conservation Contractors, discussing the design, installation and performance of the bioreactors.