Prairie Strips field day at Maple Edge Farm

On Thursday, May 23, Golden Hills hosted an educational field day about prairie strips as part of the West Nishnabotna Water Quality & Infrastructure Partnership.

This field day at Maple Edge Farm highlighted the innovative in-field conservation practice of prairie strips. Shortly after Golden Hills RC&D Project Coordinator Shaun Ahern made some opening announcements, attendees took a wagon ride across the nearby field to the prairie strip site.

On the way there, a brief stop was made overlooking the prairie strip site downslope. Host farmer Jon Bakehouse shared his experience in witnessing the erosion in the adjacent field and his desire to install a conservation practice such as prairie strips to minimize such erosion. Jon explained the process of working with Golden Hills RC&D through the Iowa Watershed Approach to install the prairie strips.

example of a prairie strip in a cornfield

​Once in the field at the strips site, Tim Youngquist with Iowa State University spoke about the ISU STRIPS program, prairie strips as a practice, and their multitude of benefits. Benefits not only include the reduction of soil erosion and nutrient runoff, but increased biodiversity and health benefits. In fact, Jon stated how he visits the prairie strips when he’s having a bad day. He also spoke about seeding and management recommendations, such as prescribed fire and mowing. After speaking, Tim took a number of questions, including the difference between buffer and prairie strips, explaining how they are a long-term practice, and giving suggestions for resources to help someone with planning establishment and management of their prairie. 

example of prairie strips in a rowcrop field

​After that, Andrew Olson from the Tallgrass Prairie Center (TPC) started off by showing a banner of a prairie plant highlighting how deep their roots are. He then gave some background of the TPC and explained that research has shown that prairie plants don’t clog tile lines. He also fielded a few audience questions after speaking. Since time allowed, attendees got the chance to walk the prairie strip if they wanted. During that time Tim pointed out a prairie plant there affected by herbicide drift, emphasizing that it shouldn’t be of concern if it isn’t a direct application given how tough prairie species are. Attendees then headed back on a wagon ride and a few closing announcements were made before the event concluded.

photo from KMTV

The strips field day was also covered by KMTV. You can read their story here.

Golden Hills would like to thank everyone who attended the event, and special thanks to the Bakehouses for hosting, and to Tim Youngquist and Andy Olson for presenting!

If you are interested in learning more about implementing prairie strips on your farm, reach out to us!