Water Quality and Ag Field Day for Legislators
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) hosted several state and federal legislators at a water quality and ag field day on Friday, May 29 at the LICA farm located northeast of Des Moines near Melbourne.
“Iowa farmers continue to invest in technologies and practices to improve water quality. Today’s event showcases these technologies so that legislators can understand the need for research, incentives, and technical assistance. Water quality benefits extend beyond the farm and voluntary conservation allows for flexibility in fitting the right technologies on individual farms,” says Jerry Mohr, a farmer from Eldridge, Iowa and current ICGA President.
Farmers, contractors, and conservation experts discussed with legislators how the practices work, construction, costs, and cost-share programs available. Conservation partners included Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Farm Services Agency, Conservation Districts of Iowa, Agri Drain, and AgSolver.
Those in attendance for the LICA farm tour included:
- David Young, U.S. Congressman
- Charlie Johnson (U.S Congressman Young staff)
- John Ferland and Justin Bryant (U.S. Congressman Blum staff)
- State Senator Kevin Kinney
- State Representatives Dave Deyoe, John Landon, and Dave Maxwell
The LICA farm has a variety of water quality practices employed on an 80 acre farm including wetlands, terraces, sediment control basins, grassed waterways, water control structures, bioreactors, and a rain garden. In addition to touring the farm, educational displays were available in the farm’s machine shed.
Photo Caption: Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) board members discussed water quality practices with legislators at a field day at the Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) farm near Melbourne. Pictured from left to right: John Ferland (Congressman Blum staff), Kurt Hora (ICGA), state senator Kevin Kinney, state representative Dave Maxwell, Denny Friest (ICGA), state representative Dave Deyoe, Roger Zylstra (ICGA), Bob Hemesath (ICGA), state representative John Landon, Justin Bryant (Congressman Blum staff), Congressman David Young, and Tim Recker (LICA).
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The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is an 8,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.
For More Information:
Shannon Textor
Director of Marketing & Communications
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
stextor@iowacorn.org
Ben Gleason
Sustainable Program Manager
Iowa Corn Growers Association
515-225-9242
bgleason@iowacorn.org