The state of Iowa is taking steps to improve water quality by expanding an experimental program to five additional counties, including Cherokee County in Northwest Iowa. The initiative was launched in 2016 in Taylor and Page Counties and aims to help farmers identify marginal crop land that could be better utilized for forage and grazing. By doing so, the program hopes to prevent soil erosion, reduce nutrient runoff, and improve water quality.
To date, the program has resulted in over 5,000 acres of converted land, nearly 33,000 acres of cover crops planted to prevent erosion and keep nitrogen in the soil, and the construction of 32 stabilization structures. The expansion of the program to Cherokee and other counties will include the hiring of two project coordinators to provide technical support to farmers.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig made the announcement during Soil and Water Conservation Week in Cherokee. Naig emphasized the importance of the program, stating that it not only benefits the environment but also the farmers who participate in it by improving land use and productivity.
With the hiring of new coordinators and expansion to additional counties, the water quality program is expected to continue to make significant strides in protecting Iowa's water resources for future generations.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-zms
Categories: Iowa, Sustainable Agriculture