DECEMBER STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

We are excited to share some good news from the USDA regarding cost share for saturated buffers and bioreactors. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) will allow these edge-of-field practices on CRP buffer strips and pay up to 90 percent cost share. The edge-of-field practices have several benefits, including removing nitrates from tile water. Click here for more information about this announcement and the effectiveness of saturated buffers and bioreactors.

With winter comes many opportunities to learn and network beginning with Iowa Corn Crop Fairs in January. Click here for a full list of Iowa Corn events.

We will also be hosting two water quality seminars at the Iowa Power Farming Show in February. Stop by booth #852 to register for prizes!

• Seminars will be held in room 311 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

• Hear from Secretary Northey, Dr. Larry Weber with the Iowa Flood Center and several Iowa corn farmers as they discuss water quality, conservation and Iowa watershed projects

A reminder that we are looking for farmers interested in receiving nitrate test kits to test their tiles and streams. Click here for more information and contact Ben Gleason if you are interested. 

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FARMER TO FARMER:

LET'S TALK benefits of conservation practices

Iowa Corn grower Annette Sweeney, shares some of the benefits she has seen since implementing conservation practices on her farm in Hardin County. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Iowa Corn Crop Fairs: Jan. - March

• Crop Advantage Series: 14 Jan. dates and locations across IowA

• Iowa Corn Crop Fair: Burlington, Jan. 6

• Iowa lica Convention: Des Moines, jan. 8 - 10

• national no-till conference: st. louis, jan. 10 - 13

• Upper iowa watershed meeting: Decorah, Jan. 11

• middle cedar watershed meeting: vinton, jan. 12

• iowa corn day on the hill: DES MOINES, JAN. 17

• CLEAR CREEK WATERSHED MEETING: CORALVILLE, JAN. 18

• iowa corn crop fair: rock rapids, JAN. 26

• IOWA CORN CROP FAIR: greene, Jan. 31

• IOWA POWER FARMING SHOW: DES MOINES, JAN. 31 – FEB. 2

• isa research conference: des moines, feb. 7 - 8

• watershed management Symposium: Dubuque, feb 8 - 9

• AGRIBUSINESS SHOWCASE & CONFERENCE: DES MOINES, FEB. 14 - 15

• SOIL HEALTH CONFERENCE: AMES, FEB. 16 - 17

• Iowa Corn Day on the Hill: Des Moines, March 29

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LATEST INFORMATION:

• Court Dismisses Setting Pollution Diet for Mississippi River Basin

• Practices at Work: Gene DeBruin, Muchakinock Creek Watershed

• EPA Tightens Pesticide Applicator Requirements

• IDDA Annual Conference Addresses Water Quality

• Water Quality Funds Needed

• NRCS to Offer Higher Conservation Payments to Iowa Farmers

• EPA Approval Adds Tool for Weed Fight

• Jasper County Farmer Says Cover Crops Have Improved Soil Health

• What’s Ahead for Clean Water Act Enforcement?

• Northey Requests Funding for Animal Disease Preparation and Supports House Plan for Water Quality

• California Court Rules in Favor of EPA on Pesticide Treated Seeds

• Soil Health Partnership Builds Steam