Join Tama County Women, Land & Legacy for its upcoming cover crop event, “Discover the Cover!” It will be held on Tuesday, August 31 at the Steve and Erin Murty farm, 1435 Hwy 96 east of Gladbrook. Registration will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the event beginning at 6:30.

This event is free and open to the general public, both women and men. An RSVP is preferred by August 30 by phoning 641-484-2702, ext. 305 or by email at melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net.

The Murtys will share their experiences of growing cover crops for over ten years and how they incorporate cover crops into their livestock production. Erin has served as the Ag Sciences instructor and FFA Sponsor for Green Mountain-Garwin Schools for five years. Steve is the Midwest Forage Consultant for Vita Plus.

Also scheduled to speak is Tina Cibula, a Resource Conservationist with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. Tina is also a Tama County livestock producer.

Cover crops can be an integral part of a producer’s cropping system. They can be managed to improve soil health, reduce soil erosion, scavenge excess nutrients, allow for livestock grazing and stored forage opportunities, offer growing season pollinator habitat and provide winter cover and food for wildlife.

As part of producers’ management systems, cover crops help to prevent diseases and pest problems by adding biodiversity. This can reduce production costs and increase profitability.

Tama County Women, Land & Legacy began in 2007, part of a statewide USDA outreach project. This is the group’s 39th local event.

Women, Land & Legacy is currently active in over thirty Iowa counties and brings together Iowans interested in agriculture, local food and natural resources to converse, listen and become empowered for involvement on their landscape and in their communities.

Persons needing accommodations to participate in this event should contact 641-484-2702, ext. 305, TDD# or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 or melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net at least 48 hours prior to the event.