MONROE — Local Extension and County Conservation staff will host a series of webinars the evenings of November 9, 11, and 16 for landowners who rent out land for farming in Iowa, Grant, Green, and Lafayette Counties. Soil is one of the most important assets of land, but it’s not always obvious how to work with an operator to protect it. In this series, presenters will start at the beginning to help landowners better understand soil, conservation practices, and developing a good lease. The first session, “Understanding Your Farmland,” will be Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Topics include the connection between land use and water quality, basics of soil types, soil productivity and limitations, soil fertility, and how to use the Web Soil Survey. The second session, “Protecting Soil and Water,” will be Nov. 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Topics include soil health, manure applications, basics of conservation practices (including cover crops and reduced tillage), and farmland programs and regulations. The third session, “Developing a Farmland Lease,” will be Nov. 16 from 

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Topics include the importance of a multi-year, written lease, the economics of crop production, what goes into a good lease, and considerations for a fair price. A local landowner and an operator will also give their perspectives. Registration is required by Nov. 8. Register online at https://go.wisc.edu/ kg491y.  These webinars are organized by the UW-Madison Division of Extension, UW-Madison Nutrient and Pest Management Program, and County Conservation Departments of Iowa, Grant, Green, and Lafayette Counties.