Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has formed a public-private partnership with the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to accelerate the implementation of science-based practices proven to protect water quality and improve soil health within Iowa. This innovative partnership will work with farmers and landowners in priority watersheds within Iowa to construct practices outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, including multi-purpose oxbows, saturated buffers and perennial covers. 

The project will initially focus within the priority watersheds of the North Raccoon, Boone, Skunk, Middle Cedar, and Turkey Rivers. Throughout the initial phase of the project, the goal is to install at least 30 multi-purpose oxbows, 21 saturated buffers, and 900 acres of perennial cover, which can include pollinator and other wildlife habitat, field borders, and filter strips, among other options.

The Department will financially support farmer and landowner outreach. Conservation professionals will work directly with farmers and landowners to identify prospective locations to construct or implement these nutrient-reducing practices. The Department will also help support technical, design, and engineering costs associated with the projects. Through separate agreements with landowners, the Department will also financially support the installation of practices. 

Read the full press release here.