February 2020 Stewardship Advocate
Posted on February 25, 2020 at 4:09 PM by Iowa Corn
MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER
The EPA is accepting public comments until March 2 for its Preliminary Interim Decision on the re-registration of atrazine. While this is progress in the registration process, EPA must get the science right for this and future pesticide registrations. The inclusion of poor-quality research can have repercussions for future reviews including the upcoming Endangered Species Act biological evaluation. Atrazine provides effective weed control that saves up to $30 per acre. Click here to submit comments by March 2.
In cost share program news, the deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign up is February 28. If you miss the deadline or don’t get accepted, the continuous sign up is still open and there will be another general sign up every year. If CRP isn’t for you, the Bee & Butterfly Fund offers 100% cost share for seed to establish habitat.
While the recent Farm Bill increased acres for CRP, it also dedicates at least 10% of cost share funding to source water protection. Specific practices have been identified to protect sources of public drinking water. These practices are eligible for 75% cost share in the priority areas shown in the maps below for both groundwater and surface water sources. Click here for more information.
Finally, winter isn’t over yet, so there’s plenty of time to attend an indoor event. See the list below for events covering everything from soil testing to cover crops to edge of field practices. Regarding activities at the state capitol, here a couple of events:
- Governor Reynolds is hosting town hall meetings to gather feedback from Iowans regarding her Invest in Iowa Act which will raise the sales tax to fund water quality efforts and reduce property and income taxes. Click here for more information.
- The Iowa Corn Growers Association’s Day on the Hill is March 25. We invite you to gather with your fellow farmers at the Capitol to visit with your legislators about issues important to you and your farm.
Latest Information
Sustainability is Playing a Role in Brand Trust
USDA Sets March 20 Application Cutoff for CSP Renewals, EQIP
Farmer Sees Far-Reaching Benefits of Improving His Soil
Fertilizer Applied Years Ago Still Affects Lake Erie
Gov. Reynolds Holds Press Conference on Invest in Iowa Act
Iowa Senate’s First Bill of 2020 Provides Millions for Flood Relief
A Conservation Chat with Secretary Naig
Treat Rented Land Like Your Won by Starting the Conversation
First Soil Health Partnership Annual Report Highlights Successes and Growth in 2019
Environmental Groups Seek Hog Farm Permit Freeze at Rally
Upcoming Events
February 27 Conservation Coffee, Clarion
February 27 Soil Testing Workshop, Crawfordsville
February 28 Soil Testing Workshop, Waterloo
February 28 Soil Testing Workshop, Atlantic
February 28 Soil Health Workshop, Maquoketa
March 2 Nitrogen Workshop, Brooklyn
March 5 Spring Flood Meeting, Sidney
March 6 Cover Crop Workshop, Durant
March 6 Soil Health Workshop, Storm Lake
March 10 Cover Crop Meeting, Nora Springs
March 13 Soil Testing Workshop, Le Mars
March 13 Edge of Field Workshop, Williams
March 17 Cover Crop Field Day, Indianola
March 17 Edge of Field Workshop, Nevada
March 18 Cover Crop Field Day, Grand Mound
March 23 Edge of Field Workshop, Boone
March 24 Cover Crop Field Day, Grinnell
March 24 Soil Health Field Day, Winterset
March 25 Nutrient Research Center Seminar, Ames & online
March 25 Iowa Corn Day on the Hill, Des Moines
Farmer to Farmer: Having the Conversation with your Landlord
Check out the highlights from this year’s Iowa Power Farming Show seminar where Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julie Kenney, Lance Lillibridge of Benton County, and Keaton Krueger of Boone County discuss working with landlords to implement conservation on rented land.
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