Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the expansion of a successful Water Quality Initiative (WQI) demonstration project in northeast Iowa. This new phase will specifically target edge-of-field conservation practices to enhance water quality in the region.
The previous WQI projects in the Central Turkey River Watershed, initiated in 2014, have achieved positive results, including the seeding of over 43,700 acres of cover crops.
The upcoming phase will continue to prioritize cover crop utilization, an effective in-field conservation practice. Additionally, the project will focus on implementing edge-of-field practices such as saturated buffers, bioreactors, wetlands, and grade stabilization structures where suitable.
Secretary Naig acknowledged the outstanding leadership from local partners, along with the active participation of farmers and landowners, for the project's success. He emphasized the need for more stakeholders to join the initiative to accelerate conservation efforts and achieve the goals set by the Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will invest approximately $281,871 in this project through the WQI. Collaborative partners, including the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), educational institutions, cooperative organizations, and county conservation boards, will contribute to the project's implementation until 2026.
The Iowa Water Quality Initiative, established in 2013, aims to implement the Nutrient Reduction Strategy through science-based approaches. It addresses both point and nonpoint sources of pollution, involving public and private resources to reduce nutrient loss and enhance water quality across the state.
Photo Credit: istock-BlackJack3D
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Education, Sustainable Agriculture