IOA Field Day: Iowa Cover Crop Diversification and Organic Transition

Join IOA and our field day hosts, James and Megan Holz and Joel Lange, in Jefferson as they showcase the benefits of cover crops and soil health and their journeys transitioning to organic certification, while exploring their diversified operations.  Learn the story behind creating their business, Iowa Cover Crop, and visit their brand new facility! Stay for a nutrient-rich farm-to-table lunch with locally sourced organic ingredients, and engaging organic conversation. 

In these times of an ever-changing climate, be inspired and connect with local farmers who are "Armoring the Soil" with Cover Crops.

James and Megan Holz farm with their family near Grand Junction, Iowa, raising corn, soybeans, small grains, and cattle. They are currently in the process of transitioning 220 acres from conventional to organic. James and Megan are also co-owners and operators of Iowa Cover Crop, a full service cover crop seed and application business, which assists farmers in improving soil health, reducing erosion, and promoting sustainable agriculture. They have two young children, and one on the way in August!

Joel Lange farms with his family near Jefferson, Iowa, raising corn, soybeans and small grains conventionally and organically. He has also raised rye and buckwheat for cover crop seed. His farm currently has 240 certified organic acres and is transitioning another 280. Joel and his brother also own and operate Central Iowa Drainage. He and his wife Tanner have four young children that keep them very busy!

Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how cover crops improve soil health, enhance the pH levels, and increase organic matter, while uncovering the biodiversity beneath the roots and shoots of cover crops, which creates a living soil full of nutrients and minerals.

The Iowa Organic Association is excited to offer a farm-to-table lunch following our field day with Iowa Cover Crop. We have partnered with local growers and caterers to bring field day participants a fantastic organically grown & locally-prepared meal!

Lunch will be prepared by Jefferson's wildly popular eatery The Centennial, and feature locally sourced ingredients from local growers in Greene County!  Renowned chef Sara Ostrander has prepared the following delicious menu for our farm-to-table lunch featuring produce from Greene Goods, meat from Murphy Farm Meats, and Sweet Corn from Deal's Orchard!

  • BLT Wraps (Vegetarian options available - please notify Erika)
  • Fresh Tomato & Cucumber Salad
  • Tex Mex Street Corn Salad
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Carmelita Bar

Field Day Registration Options: 

  1. Attend the field day (FREE) – register below
  2. Attend the field day and join us for our farm-to-table LUNCH – please register HERE BY JULY 8TH!  
    • ($10/IOA members and $25 non-members)

Funder Acknowledgement:

This material is based upon work that is supported by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the project number 15061 titled "Risk Management Outreach and Education for Beginning, Transitioning and Organic Producers". 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 RMA and U.S. Department of Agriculture.


IOA SPONSORS


The Iowa Organic Association thanks our 2023 Sponsors for their strong support of Iowa's organic community.  Want to help expand organic in Iowa? Become a sponsor today! 

 

 

 

WHEN
July 10, 2023 at 10:00am - 12pm
WHERE
Iowa Cover Crop Headquarters
Jefferson, IA 50129
United States
Google map and directions
CONTACT
Erika Otto · · 712-215-6851
46 RSVPS
Ronald Morgan Michael Pittman Mary Cory Mick Monahan Jeff Kienast Ruth Rabinowitz Megan Holz Roz Lehman Tyler Bruck Erika Otto

Will you come?