APRIL 2017 STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

We hope your planting season is off to a great start! Last week, several Iowa Corn directors took a break from planting to meet with legislators at the Land Improvement Contractors Association (LICA) farm near Des Moines. The Iowa Corn Growers Association has hosted this event for five years with help from LICA, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and other conservation partners.

While the state legislative session was busy trying to wrap up for the year, Congress was in recess and several members were able to attend the event. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst attended and discussed conservation practices and cost share programs. Staff from the offices of U.S. Reps. Blum and Loebsack also toured the farm. We appreciate their time and willingness to learn about the importance of federal investments in financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices.

The state legislature adjourned without passing a bill to secure significant, long-term funding for voluntary water quality improvements. This is one of ICGA’s priorities, but all is not lost. Bills were passed out of the House and Senate, but consensus on how to move forward will have to wait until next year. Despite a tight budget, slight increases for the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and soil conservation cost share programs were approved.

FARMER TO FARMER:

LET'S TALK PROTECTING THE SOIL

Wayne Humphreys of Louisa County discusses the conservation practices he has in place and their role in protecting the soil on his farm while also improving water quality.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• April 27: Herbicide Tolerant Crop Stewardship, Webinar

• May 2: Living Landscapes workshop, Cedar Rapids

• May 16: Upper Wapsi Watershed Meeting, Independence

• May 17: North Raccoon Watershed Meeting, Lake City

• May 17: Soil Management and Land Valuation Conference, Ames

• May 18: English River Watershed Meeting, Williamsburg

• May 30: Cover crop field day, Sioux Center

• June 12 - 13: 4R nutrient summit, Minneapolis

• June 14: Nishnabotna Watershed Meeting, Oakland

• July 25: Middle Cedar Watershed Meeting, Vinton

• Aug. 3: Palmer Amaranth in CRP, Boone

LATEST INFORMATION:

• Water Quality Effort Fizzles in Legislature’s Final Hours

• FSA and NRCS Officials Ask for Your Help in Controlling Palmer Amaranth

• Tips for Managing Cover Crops This Spring

• Answers on Water Quality, Drainage

• Updated CleanWaterIowa.org Showcases Iowa’s Water Quality Activities

• Agriculture Community Reacts to Recent EPA Action

• Large Grain Stocks Revive Debate Over U.S. Land Retirement

• Deadline Set to Renew Expiring CSP Contracts

• Corn Growers Hope for 'Real World' Regulations

• Soil Health Farms Expanding

• Iowans Celebrate Water Quality Successes in Annual Review