2020 April Stewardship Advocate

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

Plant 2020 is off! Please stay safe this busy time of year. The tractor cab may be the safest place from the coronavirus. As we continue to deal with the global pandemic, below are a few resources. Be sure to call ahead to make sure in-person events have not been postponed.

• Iowa Corn Covid-19 Update
• Covid-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
• Coronavirus and USDA Service Centers

As field work accelerates, the Iowa Department of Agriculture is offering options to help with pesticide certifications including online testing.  The Department has partnered with FieldWatch to provide tools to protect bee hives, specialty crops, and seed field workers from pesticide exposure. BeSure! offers best management practices while handling neonicotinoid products.

Cost share programs continue to be available. Field office doors are closed for the time being, so be sure to call ahead. Below is the latest program news:

• The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is offering a new pilot program in the prairie pothole states including Iowa. The Soil Health and Income Protection Program is accepting applications until August 21.  However, only 50,000 acres are available for this first-come, first-served pilot.
• The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is accepting applications for this year’s funding until May 29. Higher payment rates are now available for certain practices such as cover crops.
• The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) has announced its latest round of funding including over $20 million for three projects in Iowa. 

Finally, nominations are due by May 4 for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards. Feel free to nominate yourself, friends, and neighbors. The award ceremony will be August 19 at the Iowa State Fair. Click here for more information.

Stay safe!

Latest Information

Build Champagne Soils on a Beer Budget

Iowans Can Do Their Part in Helping the Monarch Habitat Grow

Shift in Mindset Adds More Conservation Acres

These Iowa Farmers Remain Focused on Soil Health

Cargill-led Fund to Pay US Farmers for Carbon Capture, Exchange Credits

Community Collaboration – Lessons from a Community Project

Dubuque, Iowa DNR Reach ‘First-of-its-Kind’ Water Quality Agreement

New to Cover Crops before Corn? Steve Berger Shares Tips for Success

Secretary Naig Shares Cover Crop Management Tips for Spring

SHP and TFI Publish Nutrient Management Profiles

Upcoming Events

April 22 Grazing Cover Crops, Webinar

April 22 Forestry Benefits, Webinar

April 24 Virtual Field Day, Webinar

April 24 North Raccoon Watershed Meeting, Conference call

April 28 Soil Sessions, Webinar

April 29 No Till & Cover Crops, Webinar

May 20 Nutrient Research Center Field Tour, Ames

May 21 Middle Cedar Watershed Meeting, TBD

May 21 English River Watershed Meeting, North English

May 21 Upper Iowa Watershed Meeting, Decorah

May 26 Soil Sessions, Webinar

Farmer to Farmer video

Farmer to Farmer:  Let’s Talk About Change

Gary Petersohn of Ringgold County talks about how changing farm practices and learning as he goes has resulted in many benefits from transitioning to no till.