Sustainable Iowa Farming with Conservation Practices

By Andi Anderson

In Iowa, a new collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program and the Iowa Soybean Association is making strides in merging agriculture and conservation.

This partnership aims to restore wetlands and prairies across the state, enhancing water quality while providing essential habitats for pollinators and other wildlife.

For years, Iowa has recognized the synergy between water quality and wildlife restoration, with initiatives like the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy promoting wetland restoration, prairie strips, and cover crops. Now, with new partnerships, this vision is coming to life, with restoration projects benefiting both farmers and ecosystems.

The restored wetlands help filter runoff, recharge groundwater, and mitigate flood risks, while offering habitats for species such as the endangered Topeka shiner and migratory waterfowl.

Prairie restorations, including buffers and land retirement areas, support pollinators and monarch butterflies, reduce soil erosion, and stabilize soils, benefiting Iowa’s agricultural landscape.

This partnership focuses on the needs of farmers, offering voluntary, incentive-based programs that integrate habitat restoration into farm operations.

By focusing on non-productive or challenging land areas, farmers can increase their land's value while contributing to broader environmental goals. These restoration efforts reduce nutrient runoff and improve conservation outcomes, providing a win-win for farmers and the environment.

The partnership exemplifies scalable conservation practices, showing that agricultural sustainability, wildlife protection, and improved water quality can all be achieved together.

It offers a model for other states, emphasizing local leadership, private landowner engagement, and federal support.

Looking ahead, the model developed by the Iowa Soybean Association and Partners Program can be expanded to other regions, fostering nationwide conservation efforts, and proving that conservation and agriculture can thrive together.

Photo Credit: iowa-soybean-association