By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has announced a partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to enhance water quality and soil health in Iowa.
This initiative focuses on implementing science-based practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy to create sustainable landscapes.
The project will target priority watersheds, including the North Raccoon, Boone, Skunk, Middle Cedar, and Turkey Rivers. Initial efforts aim to install 30 multi-purpose oxbows, 21 saturated buffers, and 900 acres of perennial cover, providing pollinator habitats, field borders, and filter strips.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig emphasized the importance of collaboration in driving progress. “This project proves that working together is key to making meaningful advancements,” Naig stated, inviting farmers and landowners in the project area to participate.
This initiative will receive financial backing from IDALS to support outreach efforts by conservation staff from ISA and USFWS. These professionals will work with farmers and landowners to identify suitable sites for nutrient-reducing practices. The project also provides funding for technical, design, and installation costs.
Over the next three years, IDALS will contribute $1.4 million to landowner outreach and practice development. The ISA and USFWS will match this with $933,682, ensuring resources are in place to achieve the project’s goals.
Dr. Christie Wiebbecke from the ISA praised the collaboration’s impact, while Andrew DiAllesandro from USFWS highlighted the project as a model for future conservation efforts. This agreement, active through June 2027, reflects a shared commitment to sustainable farming and environmental stewardship.
Farmers and landowners interested in participating can contact IDALS or the Iowa Soybean Association for more details. This initiative promises to leave a lasting legacy for Iowa’s natural resources and agricultural communities.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Soybeans