Two years ago several Iowa-based agricultural groups launched the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance (IAWA). Today during the 2016 Farm Progress Show, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced the organization’s new Conservation Infrastructure Strategy to assist in the identification of economic development opportunities associated with achieving the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The IAWA also announced the formation … Read More
Deadline for Conservation Legacy Awards Approaches
If you were planning to do it just as soon as you have some free time, well, now’s the time to make time! The Conservation Legacy Awards program application deadline is just a few weeks away on September 2. The Conservation Legacy Awards program showcases farm management practices of U.S. soybean producers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable. Applications … Read More
Program Changes Coming at @USDA_NRCS
The USDA National Resources Conservation Program (NRCS) took the opportunity to get the word out about the latest in the program services at the recent Ag Media Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. Jamie Johansen had the opportunity to speak with Mark Rose, Director of NRCS, about the upcoming changes for fiscal year 2017. Rose told AgWired the Conservation Stewardship program … Read More
The Corporate Commitment to Sustainability
The latest installment of the Food Dialogues, held this week in Minneapolis as part of a joint effort from the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the Farm and Food Alliance of Minnesota, kept the focus on water sustainability. The diverse panel of professionals highlighted the many ways that water conservation is present in their professions and the companies … Read More
Farmers Talk Water Security at #FoodD
At the latest Food Dialogue from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the Farm and Food Alliance of Minnesota, a panel of experts kept the focus entirely on water sustainability, an issue that has continually placed significant blame on production agriculture. The lone producer on the panel was Nathan Collins, who raises Angus cattle and grows corn, soybeans, … Read More
Working Together On Water Conservation
Water conservation was the focus of the latest installment of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance’s (USFRA) series of Food Dialogues, held this week in Minneapolis, and for panelist Rebecca Flood, Assistant Commissioner for Water Policy at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), protecting our water supply is at the heart of her entire career. Flood oversees MPCA’s programs and … Read More
NACD & NRCS Award $2M for Urban Ag Projects
As urban agriculture gains momentum in tandem with the movement of knowing where your food comes from, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) have awarded $2 million in funds to 42 conservation districts for urban ag and conservation projects. The goal of the initiative is to help conservation districts and … Read More
Cover Crops Council Hires Program Manager
Anna Morrow, a Purdue Extension educator, has joined the Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) as program manager. In her new role, that began on July 1, 2016 as as staff member in Purdue University’s Department of Agronomy, Morrow will assist MCCC in meeting its goals of facilitating widespread adoption of cover crops across the Midwest for purposes of soil health, … Read More
CTIC Names New Executive Director
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has named Chad Watts as new Executive Director. Watts joined CTIC in 2012 as Project Director, leading a range of highly successful conservation programs including the Indian Creek Watershed Project, the Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative and the influential National Cover Crop Survey, which has been cited in Congressional testimony. “Chad’s deep commitment to … Read More
Summer Field Days Focus on Soil Health
With summer in full swing, the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) has kicked off its field days with a focus on how changing nutrient management and tillage strategies, along with cover crop adoption, can create long-term environmental and economic benefits. The field days began in June and will continue through September with a focus on the Midwest, specifically Iowa and Illinois. … Read More