Monday, July 21, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Sweet Season Farm in Calmar, IAIOA Field Day: Summer Farmer Meet-up at Sweet Season Farm
The Iowa Organic Association and Sweet Season Farm invites area farmers and organic supporters to a "Summer Farmer Meet-Up" at Sweet Season Farm for a time to talk about the the farming year-to-date and to enjoy a meal. This is not your typical IOA Field Day with a planned topic and tours, but rather a opportunity for farmers to gather together for a meal and to talk about the year so far. There will be plenty of time to talk about this years successes, challenges, new ideas, and even the failures. It will also be a great way to "fill your tank" for the rest of the growing season and maybe bring back some new ideas to your farm. Whether you are a vegetable farm, grain farmer, dairy farmer, livestock farmer, backyard gardener, or just a supporter of organic farms in general you are invited!
About Sweet Season Farm
Sweet Season Farm is run by Ethan and Carly Zierke in Calmar, Iowa, where they grow certified organic vegetables using regenerative practices that nourish both the land and the community. Serving the Decorah area, their fresh, sustainably grown produce can be found at the Decorah Farmer’s Market and the Oneota Community Food Co-op.
Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Saturday, August 02, 2025 at 04:00 PM
Broken Trowel Farm in Des Moines, IAIOA Field Day: Organic Gardening for Your Backyard
Myles Curnes invites everyone to his backyard organic urban farm in Des Moines on Saturday, August 2nd at 4:00 PM for a hands-on opportunity about how you can apply organic practices to your own garden and yard. This free field day will include a tour of Broken Trowel Urban Gardens, a discussion about organic management on a small scale and the benefits of growing your own food, and a short presentation from the Iowa Organic Association.
About Broken Trowel Urban Gardens
Broken Trowel Urban Gardens was born out of a Myles Curnes' journey toward better health and a deeper connection with the earth. Inspired by the documentary Forks Over Knives, Myles began planting his own gardens to grow food for his family and friends. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Broken Trowel operates multiple urban garden plots, specializing in tomatoes, peppers, herbs, while also focusing on pollinator-friendly plants. From selling tomato starts to coworkers to cultivating a cornucopia of vegetables the garden is a space of healing, self-reliance, and joy—feeding both people and the soul.
Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Saturday, August 09, 2025 at 09:00 AM
Scream Ice Cream Shop in Fairfield , IAIOA Field Day: Scream Ice Cream Shop Tour
Join IOA and the Scream Ice Cream Shop for a free ICE CREAM FOCUSED field day at their shop in Fairfield, IA.The field day includes a tour of the Scream Ice Cream Shop, information about the ice cream making process, behind-the-scenes details, and we'll hear about the locally sourced organic dairy that is used in the ice cream! Of course there will be time for questions and answers, and equally as exciting ... there will be time for ice cream!
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about an exciting Iowa business that is focused not only on serving their community, but also working together with local organic farmers!
About Scream Ice Cream Shop
Unlike most ice cream shops that purchase a premade ice cream mix and simply flavor, freeze, and serve to their guests, SCREAM produces handcrafted ice creams from scratch in our on-site pasteurizer. Their ice cream has been packaged and sold in pints in Fairfield, IA since 2022 and is now in over 12 regional grocery stores including Hy-Vee (select locations), New Pioneer Coop, Everybody's Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, and more! The flagship store, "SCREAM Ice Cream Shop", opened in January 2025 and is quickly becoming a local favorite and destination for out of towners.
Exhibitors
Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Monday, August 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Kollasch Family Farms in Fairfield , IAIOA Field Day: Organic Grains & Direct Market Meats
Join IOA and Matt and Hillary of Kollasch Family Farms for a free field day covering their multi-generational organic farm, the direct market meat business, and how the livestock benefit their organic row crops at their farm in Whittemore, IA.The field day will include a tour of both their livestock and organic row crop operations. We will learn about how they have integrated their direct market meat business into the existing organic row crop operation, how they utilize their livestock to benefit and add value to their organic crops, the importance of a diverse number of income streams, and their plans for the continuing to build their soils and overall farm health.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about an exciting Iowa farm that is doing a great job stewarding their land and serving their community!
About Kollasch Family Farms
Kollasch Family Farms is an organic regenerative family farm in northern Iowa, run by Matt and Hilary Kollasch and their four farm-savvy kids. Along with partnering with Matt's dad in the organic crop operation they raise beef, pork, chickens, and pastured eggs with a focus on soil health, sustainability, and future generations. From marketing to food production, everything is done by the family—including the "Kollasch Kids Coop", proudly managed by the next generation. With big dreams and a deep commitment to nourishing people and the planet, they're excited to share their farm with you.
Email [email protected] if you wish to set up a table at this event.
Funding Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work that is supported by the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the TOPP and U.S. Department of Agriculture.Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 09:00 AM
B&B Irlbeck Farms in Manning, IAPFI Field Day: Diversifying an Organic Farm: Row Crops, Small Grains and Holstein Heifers
Bryce Irlbeck owns and operates B&B Irlbeck Farms near Manning, Iowa, where he and his family grow 4,000 acres of organic corn, soybeans, peas, barley, canola, rye and alfalfa. Bryce is also the founder of AgriSecure, a platform that aims to support other farmers interested in organic transition. Bryce has found interesting markets for his organic products, including a local distillery for his organic rye and a corn tortilla chip manufacturer for his organic corn.
He also has alfalfa forage sales, and finds value in the benefits of having hay in organic rotations. Attend this field day to learn about these unique markets and see some of Bryce’s current projects, including growing and marketing hay and developing an organic dairy heifer program with Holsteins.
Meal
Light refreshments will be offered throughout the field day.
See & Discuss
- How regenerative practices lead to unique food-grade market opportunities for corn and rye
- How oats and rye are used on the farm
- Growing and marketing alfalfa
- A Holstein heifer organic dairy program
Sponsors
- Agricultural Flaming Innovations (AFI)
- Iowa Organic Association
- Iowa State University Organic Agriculture Program
SEE DETAILS & REGISTER
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 08:00 AM
ISU Horticulture Research Station in Ames, IAMidwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
The Land Connection in partnership with Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Glacial Drift Enterprises is hosting their annual Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day in Iowa this summer!
Join farmers from across the Midwest for this daylong event. Spend the morning checking out weeding tools up close and speaking with company reps at the trade show. Catch education sessions from experienced farmers and experts and engage with farmers from across the region. After a break at noon for lunch, the afternoon will feature the heart of this event: field demonstrations of weeding and cultivation tools for all scales in row crops and vegetables. Head to the demo plots specially planted with corn, beets and brassicas to see numerous tools in action.
See and Discuss:
- Demonstrations of weeding and cultivation tools for row crops
and vegetables - The latest in cultivation equipment and practices, including camera guidance, camera-guided hitches and robotics
- How to mount and adjust cultivators for crop and soil conditions
- Hand-scale and two-wheel tractors and cultivators in walk-behind alley
SEE DETAILS & REGISTER
(The Iowa Organic Association will be at the trade show to talk with farmers about organics in Iowa, organic transition, and to help with any other organic farming support)
- Demonstrations of weeding and cultivation tools for row crops
