AUGUST 2017 STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

 

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

Thank you to all of those who completed our survey earlier this summer. We were encouraged by the results and look forward to continuing our efforts to bring you relevant news related to soil health and water quality.

 

A couple of key results from our survey were:

• 86% signed up because they care about soil health and want to make sure they are in the know
• 90% said it’s very important for Iowa Corn to provide farmer education on conservation
• 66% would like to receive special offers that apply to soil health and water quality

Don’t forget to sign up here to continue receiving these updates if you haven't already done so, and feel free to give us feedback in the comments section of the webpage.

In the news, the comment period to repeal the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule has been extended to Sept. 27. Click here to submit your comments to the EPA. Repealing this rule recodifies existing rules, and the next step would be to draft a new rule that offers better clarity on how to identify water bodies subject to Clean Water Act permits.

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FARMER TO FARMER:

LET'S TALK controlling soil erosion

Adams County farmer Chris Gaesser talks about how his involvement with the Soil Health Partnership and use of cover crops have helped him control soil erosion on his farm. He talks about some of the other conservation practices he has on his farm and the various benefits that each provide. 

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Aug. 24: Palmer Amaranth Workshop, Sigourney

• Aug. 25-26: Iowa Corn Grassroots Summit, Altoona

• Aug. 28: Iowa Collaborative Conservation, Des Moines

• Aug. 29: Soil health field day, Shenandoah

• Aug. 30: Soil Health Partnership field day, Waverly

• Aug. 30: Cover Crop & Wetland Field Day, Gilmore City

• Aug. 31: Cover crop field day, Fairfield

• Aug. 31: Farming Potholes Field Day, Jefferson

• Sept. 5: Soil Health Partnership field day, Treynor

• Sept. 6: Stewardship Field Day, Sioux Center

• Sept. 7: Soil Health and Bioreactor Tour, Southeast Iowa 

• Sept. 7: Monarch Field Day, Bussey

• Sept. 11: Prairie Strips Workshop, Dubuque

• Sept. 13: Cover Crop Field Day, Orange City

• Sept. 13-14: Pollinator Conference, Davenport

• Sept. 14: Soil Health Partnership field day, Hastings

• Sept. 20: Nishnabotna Watershed Meeting, Oakland

• Sept. 20: North Raccoon Watershed Meeting, Lake City

• Sept. 20: Prairie on Farms field day, Cedar Falls

• Sept. 21: Prairie on Farms field day, Dike

• Sept. 28: Prairie Strips Workshop, Sutherland

• Oct. 18: Clear Creek Watershed Meeting, Coralville

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LATEST INFORMATION:

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• Farm Bill Pays High Dividends for People and the Environment

• Cull Unprofitable Land

• Iowa Farmers Embrace Conservation, Despite Economic Downturn

• National Soil Health Measurements to Accelerate Agricultural Transformation

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• 2017 Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone is the Largest on Record