Field days give farmers and the public a chance to see research projects in progress and talk with the researchers involved in the experiments. But they also provide the opportunity to view the latest in modern agriculture. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Topics of field days in the summer typically cover corn and soybean production, including insect and weed management, soil fertility, tillage systems, water quality, planting dates, crop population, manure management and value-added crops.
2026 Research Farm Field Days and Association Meetings
*Indicates livestock farm, see visitor policies below.
The public is welcome to attend these field days, which take place rain or shine. There is no charge, unless noted.
Field days consist of tours of research and demonstration plots. Topics vary for each farm depending on local interest and conditions, but the early summer field days usually deal with corn and soybean production.
Many of the farms plant and maintain vegetable and flower gardens with help from the Department of Horticulture to provide gardening ideas and display new varieties available in Iowa.
Directions and contact information for each of the farms can be found here.
Livestock Farm Visitor Policies
Visitors are asked to follow these policies when attending a field day at a farm with livestock, marked with an asterisk.
- There is a five-day waiting period prior to visiting Iowa State University livestock farms if you have traveled outside the United States.
- If you have visited another livestock farm, you are asked to change clothing and footwear.
- Visitors are not allowed to bring food to the research farms.
If you have any questions, please call the Research and Demonstration Farms office at (515) 294-5045