Iowa Farmers Care About the Water We Share
Farmers who grow Iowa's corn know how important our state's water is; we depend on every drop and not just for our crops we grow. We have families just like yours, and just like you, we want to be sure the water we drink is as pure as it can be. That's something we all share!
Iowans truly are #StrongerTogether when we support one another. Like you support local business, restaurants and more you can support local Iowa farmers every day! One way to do this is by filling up your water bottle from the tap. When you drink tap water you are trusting Iowa farmers who take extreme measures to protect Iowa’s water supply.
The Hemesath family farms in Winneshiek County.
IOWA CORN FARMERS CARE ABOUT THE WATER WE SHARE
Farming is a family business. More than 97 percent of the state’s 88,000 farms are family owned, according to the latest census of agriculture data. Just like Iowans who live in urban areas, Iowa’s farm families want pure-tasting water and we take care of the land to keep the water clean.
Kyle Andersen is a 4th generation farmer
in Grundy County.
Using Technology protects the water we share
A larger percentage of farmers use a smartphone and tablet than the average U.S. citizen. Ask a farmer what apps he has on his smartphone and you might be surprised to find out he can view a map of his soil, track rainfall history and identify weeds growing in the field.
KEEPING THE SOIL IN PLACE PROTECTS THE WATER WE SHARE
Farmers make their living from the land and want to protect the soil from environmental factors. One way farmers protect the soil is to plant an additional crop. This "cover crop" increases the time the soil is covered by plants and the roots keep the soil where it belongs.
Mark Kenney and his family farm in Story County.
Working together for clean water
Farmers are committed to improving their soil and the quality of the water Iowans share because everyone wants clean-tasting water. Rural and urban citizens share the responsibility in protecting Iowa’s water supply.
Resources
Learn more about urban water quality conservation practices such as building a rain garden from the cleanwater Iowa initiative. Click here.
Rainscapes are designed to retain and infiltrate runoff from heavy rainfall events. Rainscaping Iowa provides instructions on how to incorporate these practices on your property. Click here.
The Iowa Storm Water Education Partnership provides information on protecting our water supply from the “first flush,” which is the initial surface runoff of a rainstorm that contains a higher concentration of contaminants. Click here.
The water summary from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides a snapshot of water resource trends such as precipitation and stream flow and is updated twice a month or as conditions change. Click here.
From handling batteries to household cleaners, the DNR’s fact sheets provide information on how to handle hazardous household materials, as well as safer alternatives. Click here.