Farmers are realizing the benefits of utilizing conservation methods as part of their farming operations. In northwest Iowa’s Plymouth County, the Loutsch brothers have been recognized by Governor Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for their environmental stewardship. The Loutsch brothers will host a soil health field day on Thursday, July 15th. Mark Loutsch says he and his brothers were told by their father to do what you can to keep water in place to prevent soil erosion. Mark Loutsch says that meant an upgrade on their conservation terraces.
Loutsch has also planted cover crops during the last five years to help prevent soil erosion and nitrate runoff, and to keep moisture from drying out. He says he has noticed cover crops have helped prevent soil wind erosion. The soil health field day will occur on Thursday, July 15th beginning at 5:30 p.m. To locate the farm, follow Highway 3 east of Le Mars to county road K-64, or the Oyens turnoff. Go north on K-64 two miles, and turn east and travel nearly 3/4th of a mile on 150th Street.
