PFI Field Day: Goats and Compost Partner for Soil Health
Event Details
3892 N. 500th Ave.
Ames, IA 50014
Contact Name: Practical Farmers of Iowa
Email: info@practicalfarmers.org
Phone: 5152325661
Website: practicalfarmers.org
Event Description
Description:
This field day starts at Steenhoek Farms with a tour of Chad’s farming and composting operation. Chad will demonstrate the Steenhoek Environmental Liquid Compost Extract machine, as well as other equipment, and will share new methods for planting cover crops with compost and with the extractor machine. After lunch, the group will travel a few miles west to the farm of Raymond Hansen; Goats on the Go is assisting with a grant project on this farm.
Raymond was awarded a SARE grant to compare the effects of goat grazing, prescribed burning, and the combination of grazing and burning on invasive multiflora rose and honeysuckle. It is hoped that the research will lead to new best practices in the restoration of savanna landscapes and the management of Iowa’s forests for economic value.
Mr. Hansen, director of value added agriculture for Iowa State University Extension, has contracted with Goats on the Go to provide goats and strategic advice on the grazing portion of the project. Attendees will be able to see the property at the end of the grazing phase, and compare the results to the surrounding untreated landscape.
Topics:
•Goat management
•Goat training
•Goat buying
•Compost testing
•Compost planning
•Compost impact
Speakers:
Aaron Steele, Co-owner of Goats on the Go
The Farm:
The Steenhoek Farm specializes in several unique, yet complementary businesses. On the farm, roughly 20-40 goats are raised and bred for Goats on the Go. The manure from the goats is then used for composting products. Steenhoek Environmental specializes in making high quality compost, and rain-garden and planting mixes. A yard waste site is also at this location for residents and commercial businesses to bring leaves, branches and logs. Ornamental grasses are also sold from the Steenhoek Farm. Other farm animals include hogs, chickens, ducks, rabbits and dogs.
Directions:
Steenhoek Farm is located about 5 miles north of U.S. 30 on 500th Avenue (County Road R53), just north of Ames.
Lunch provided. RSVP requested. RSVP for meal: Lauren Zastrow, lauren@practicalfarmers.org, (515) 232-5661 by Wednesday, July 15.
Sponsored by North Central SARE and Story County Soil and Water Conservation District
