Storm Lake Crop Workshop Focuses on Nitrates and Soil Health

Buena Vista County will be one of 12 Iowa locations hosting the Crop Advantage Series, a statewide slate of research-driven crop production meetings staged Jan. 6 through Jan. 29. The Storm Lake session is scheduled for Jan. 7 at Buena Vista University and joins a program designed to help producers translate university research into local farm decisions.

Topics scheduled across the series include crop market and climate outlooks for 2026, nitrates and drinking water, profitable nutrient management, southern rust, transition planning, and the growing use of robots and drones in production systems. The timing aims to give farmers and agribusiness professionals timely information on soil and water issues and pest pressures before spring planting.

Registration is open now with an early-bird rate (example: $75) and a higher late or on-site fee (example: $100). Private pesticide applicator recertification will be available at many locations for a separate fee (example: $30 collected on-site). Producers may register at regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/cas/ and should review session fees and options when signing up.

Beyond the in-person meetings, online programming resumes with CropsTV Season 6 running Jan. 6 through Apr. 15, offering more than 30 episodes and opportunities for continuing-education credits. The January newsletter for the region also summarizes Northwest Iowa subsoil moisture survey results, offers practical guidance on cover crop equipment and harvest management, and lists local dates for manure and pesticide applicator reshow sessions, with Buena Vista County sessions available by appointment.

The inclusion of nitrates and drinking water in the series spotlights a public health issue with local resonance. Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a persistent concern in many agricultural communities and is linked to risks for infants and vulnerable populations; conversations about profitable nutrient management at these meetings aim to align production goals with safeguards for drinking water. Making pesticide recertification accessible through the series supports safer handling and application, which has implications for worker and community health.

Access and cost are immediate equity considerations for Buena Vista County residents. Registration fees and separate recertification charges may pose barriers for smaller operations, even as appointment-based local sessions attempt to improve convenience. The series and accompanying online offerings provide multiple pathways to training, but enrollments and outreach will determine how effectively the information reaches farmers with limited time and resources.

For farmers planning for 2026, the Crop Advantage Series and CropsTV offer a concentrated window to update technical practices, secure required credits, and engage on water quality and soil management issues that affect both crop profitability and community health. Register at regcytes.extension.iastate.edu/cas/ for details and local session schedules.