By Andi Anderson
More than 2,000 Iowa youth are gaining hands-on experience with soil health and conservation through “Where the Grass Is Greener,” a statewide initiative led by Iowa 4-H and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program introduces students from K-12 to the benefits of perennial groundcover (PGC) in agriculture.
Funded by the USDA-NIFA RegenPGC project, the initiative blends science education with environmental stewardship. Activities include erosion simulations, insect identification, weed suppression games, and soil microbe observations, all designed to help students understand the environmental benefits of keeping soil covered year-round.
Visitors can explore the program in person at the Iowa State Fair on August 9 in the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building.
The RegenPGC project, short for “Regenerating America’s Working Landscapes to Enhance Natural Resources and Public Goods through Perennial Groundcover,” is focused on making perennial groundcover a widespread practice.
Unlike conventional cover crops, PGC is planted once and lasts for several years, growing alongside main crops like corn and soybeans. This approach reduces erosion, retains nutrients, sequesters carbon, and lessens the need for herbicides.
Maya Hayslett, a crop sciences specialist leading the 4-H outreach, notes, “We are emphasizing the potential benefits of this agricultural innovation, but also the role of science in developing solutions.”
Four lesson plans were developed using experiential learning techniques that promote scientific thinking. Through these lessons, students discover how soil health, pest control, and biodiversity all benefit from sustainable practices.
Kendra Crooks, 4-H youth program specialist, adds, “We are helping future generations understand the importance of caring for the soil through the use of cover crops.”
This program bridges the gap between youth and agriculture while preparing the next generation to be informed land stewards.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education