Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

See the power of rain

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May 9, 2007

AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Learning Farm has the power to make it rain.

Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a machine that simulates the impact of raindrops to various land surfaces when it rains. The machine is portable so it can travel to field days or events.

“The conservation system’s portable rainfall simulator provides an opportunity to demonstrate, on a small scale, the potential impacts of conservation and land management practices,” said Matt Helmers, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension water quality engineer.

The simulator’s oscillating nozzle can simultaneously distribute rainfall on five different surfaces. The runoff from these different scenarios is collected in glass jars so one can see the results. For example, the rainfall simulator can highlight how keeping various amounts of residue on the land surface can reduce sediment loss, or how grass buffers can be effective, or how much runoff occurs from an urban parking lot. Numerous scenarios can be demonstrated using the simulator.

The simulator can be reserved for non-profit events designed for the groups the Iowa Learning Farm project is trying to reach. Those interested in having the simulator at their event should complete the request form available at www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf.

The Iowa Learning Farm project staff works to increase the adoption of residue management and conservation practices that are expected to improve water quality and reduce nonpoint source pollution in Iowa while fostering “a culture of conservation” in the state. To meet this goal, researchers, extension personnel and farmers work together to identify and implement the best in-field management practices to reduce sediment and nutrient loadings from Iowa’s agricultural lands. Engaging farmers and local watershed groups with scientific information directly applicable to their land helps to spread the knowledge through neighbor-to-neighbor conversations related to water quality.

The Iowa Learning Farm project is a unique partership of agencies, farm and conservation groups, the general public and Iowa State University. The main partners in Iowa Learning Farm are ISU Extension, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Conservation Districts of Iowa and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. 

For more info contact:

John Lundvall, Agronomy, (515) 294-5429, jlundval@iastate.edu

Carol L. Brown, Iowa Learning Farm, cbrown1@iastate.edu

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