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press play to hear from Kalona Farmer George Schaefer
Practical Farmers of Iowa is hosting a spring field day this month that will focus on the benefits of cover crops. The event is at George and Steve Schaefer’s Kalona area farm where 600 acres are split between organic and conventional crops. George Schaefer says he’s used everything from winter rye to radishes. He says cover crops help protect against erosion and holds nutrients in the ground. Schaefer says rye seems to work the best for this climate and has benefits beyond the environment. He says it allows them to graze their cattle on it, and saves their pasture for later in the year. Another area they will be exploring will be the farm operation’s no-till practices. The field day is April 22nd.