John Lawrence’s message from July 10, 2017
Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I think this old adage can be applied to field days, a learning tool that ISU Extension and Outreach has used at least since 1903, according to R.K. Bliss. Those early extension professionals understood that a good way to teach was to show, not just tell. Through field days and demonstrations, ISU Extension and Outreach could help people help themselves and work with people rather than for people, as Bliss liked to say.
We still use field days to engage Iowans with university research. Did you know?
- Several field days at the ISU Research and Demonstration Farms and private farms feature crops and soils, nitrogen and water, and an organic/sustainable crop system.
- We’re offering Iowa Beef Quality Assurance Feedyard Assessment field days in eastern Iowa and pasture walks focusing on grazing management throughout the state.
- This summer ISU Extension and Outreach will host six garden field days at the ISU Research and Demonstration Farms. These field days are focused on how to grow produce for donation to local food pantries.
- You missed the one on monarch butterflies, but you still can take in an Iowa Learning Farms field day or two on cover crops and soil health.
- In the fall, Iowa forestry field days are sponsored in cooperation with local DNR district foresters, county extension offices and often county conservation boards.
One more thing: in June we started gathering and posting updates from the leadership team on my Did You Know blog. To see this month’s information, check the July 2017 Program Update.
— John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Interim Vice President for Extension and Outreach