Iowa Drainage School To Offer Hands On Learning For Better Farm Productivity

By Andi Anderson

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agricultural Engineering team will organize the Iowa Drainage School from August 25 to 27 at the Northwest Research Farm in Sutherland, Iowa.

This three-day program aims to provide practical and technical knowledge about drainage systems used in agriculture.

The training will focus on the design, installation, and maintenance of subsurface drainage systems. These systems play an important role in improving soil conditions and increasing crop yield. Experts believe that proper drainage helps farmers manage their fields more efficiently and ensures better plant growth.

“Drainage is needed for improving the productivity of soils in Iowa and most U.S. states,” said Kris Kohl, field agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Drainage is a great land improvement practice with long-term payback by increasing the crop yields by 5% to 30%.”

The program will include classroom lectures, discussions, and team-based activities. Participants will work in groups to survey land and design drainage systems for a sample farm area. This hands-on learning approach will help them understand how to apply concepts in real-life situations.

In addition, field demonstrations will be conducted to show how drainage equipment works and how tiles are installed in the soil. These demonstrations will help participants gain practical experience and learn about modern equipment used in agriculture.

“Iowa Drainage School provides educational opportunities for all interested in drainage, whether they are contractors, farmers, consulting engineers, county officials or others,” said Matt Helmers, professor and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State. “The school focuses on the fundamentals of drainage design, including getting an accurate survey, drainage pipe size and spacing, controlled drainage and water table management, legal considerations and different installation techniques and equipment.”

The program is open to a wide range of participants, including farmers, engineers, consultants, government officials, and landowners. Anyone interested in improving drainage knowledge and farm efficiency is encouraged to attend.

Class sizes are limited, so early registration is required. The fee is $500 per person if registered before August 17. The fee includes meals, refreshments, course materials, and reference guides.

Photo Credit: iowa-state-university