Agriculture

Learn about small-farm topics related to crops, livestock and business management

Are you ready to cultivate your dreams and turn that small plot of land into a thriving and sustainable farm?

Join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for the Small Farm & Beginning Farmer series, designed exclusively for beginning farmers and small acreage owners.

Hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach in Muscatine County, this series is a combination of informative webinars and hands-on, in-person events. It is tailored to provide essential insight and practical advice for those venturing into farming or seeking to enhance their small-scale agricultural operations. Each session, led by industry experts and seasoned professionals, covers critical topics relevant to the challenges and opportunities of small-scale farming.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 4: COC ballots mailed to LAA 3 Producers
November 11: Office closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases.  Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to report fall seeded grains with the intended use of Grain or Seed. *Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Offseason Management of CRP

by Jacob Hawes, NRCS

As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases.  Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 9: CRP payments begin being issued (3-5 business days until it hits direct deposit accounts, and 7-10 day for physical checks after processed)
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to report fall seeded grains with the intended use of Grain or Seed. *Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

As fall approaches, many farmers are evaluating the timing of their manure application. Ideally, ammonium-rich manures are applied when temperatures are cooler (50 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling) to increase the probability that applied nitrogen will still be in the upper soil profile next year when crops are growing.

However, sometimes that’s not possible, and applications earlier in the fall may be necessary, according to Daniel Andersen, professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University.

“Whether you’re dealing with foam in your manure pits or facing storage capacity concerns after a wet year, applying manure earlier than desired can be justified - especially from a safety standpoint,” he said. “Always keep safety as your top priority when dealing with early applications.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office

Taking First Round applications
Although the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) takes program applications on a continual basis, we are still taking applications for the first round of funding and have a new way of processing applications more efficiently through ACT NOW.

Learn about small-farm topics related to crops, livestock and business management during ISU Extension and Outreach webinar sessions

Are you ready to cultivate your dreams and turn that small plot of land into a thriving and sustainable farm?

Join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for the Small Farm & Beginning Farmer series, designed exclusively for beginning farmers and small acreage owners.

Hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach in Muscatine County, this series is a combination of informative webinars and hands-on, in-person events. It is tailored to provide essential insight and practical advice for those venturing into farming or seeking to enhance their small-scale agricultural operations.

Each session, led by industry experts and seasoned professionals, covers critical topics relevant to the challenges and opportunities of small-scale farming.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 27: Fiscal Year Rollover
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office

USDA Now Accepting Applications for Available Funds to Help Cover Organic Certification Costs
Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31, 2024, deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved.