Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is celebrating National Soil Health Day by
holding a field day at McLaughlin Farms on Monday, June 23, 2025.
McLaughlin Farms is located at 3272 140 th Street in rural Cumming, Iowa. Registration will open at 9:00a.m. and the program will begin at 9:30 a.m.
The field day will feature Dennis McLaughlin, the 5 th generation farmer hosting the field day on his family’s farm; the Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Station and a demonstration of the rainfall simulator; Ruth Blomquist, NRCS Soil Health Specialist for the SW Iowa Area; Erin Van Waus, Conservation Easement Director with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation; and a tour of the pasture with soil health demonstrations in the field. A complimentary lunch of hamburgers and all beef hot dogs will be provided by the Madison County Cattlemen, with additional support for the meal provided by the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and the Iowa Forage and Grassland Council.
The basic principles for improving soil health are: 1) maximize soil cover, 2) minimize soil disturbance, 3)
keep living roots growing in the soil as much as possible throughout the year, 4) maximize diversity, and
5) incorporate livestock. The farming operation at McLaughlin Farms, which includes row crops, hay and
forage, and beef cattle, uses a variety of conservation practices that not only conserve soil by reducing
erosion, but also build and improve soil health.
This event is free and open to the public. Madison SWCD requests that attendees pre-register by
Tuesday, June 17. Attendees can register online (see link below), or by calling Madison County SWCD at
515-462-4884 extension 3, or sending an email to Anna.Golightly@ia.nacdnet.net. If accommodations
are needed, please indicate when registering.
Register online: https://forms.gle/NZLu45YPJMqLqcj8A
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1218134890098765
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ba61ewN6LoJzjuLTA
