2021 March Stewardship Advocate

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

March 2021 

Spring is finally here, and fields are greening up with cover crops! 

President Biden has been in office for two months and much attention has been paid towards climate change. One of his first Executive Orders recognized the important role farmers play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon in the soil. The order directs Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to solicit input from stakeholders as USDA develops a climate-smart ag approach. USDA is asking for public comments until April 30. Click here for more information. 

Speaking of USDA, its field offices are slowly reopening, so make sure you call or email your local USDA Service Center ahead of time. USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is accepting renewal applications until March 31.  Click here for more information. 

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup, previously ending on February 12, has been extended indefinitely as the new administration considers ways to increase enrollment. CRP offers a rental payment that can help increase farm profitability by enrolling poorly producing acres. Click here for more information. 

Finally, nominations are being accepted until May 3 for this year’s Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards. Nominees should be actively adopting conservation practices on their farms and be leaders in the agriculture community. Click here for more information. 

Latest Information 

Incorporating Conservation Practices into Your Farm Lease 

Strip Tillage Marks Middle Ground for Fieldwork Options 

A Better Mousetrap is Needed for Carbon Programs, Consortium Says 

Data Shows Monarch Population Shrinking Despite Recovery Effort 

Wary US Farmers Weigh up Joining Biden’s Climate Fight 

Cover Crops Can be a Herbicide Helper 

Northey Expects Slow Takeoff for Carbon Markets 

Understanding the Impact of Conservation Tillage on Operating Expenses 

An Ag Data Checklist for Evaluating Carbon Platforms 

A Head for Numbers and a Passion for Soil Health 

Upcoming Events 

March 24 Economic Considerations on Cover Crops, Webinar 

March 24 Soil Carbon Dynamics, Webinar 

March 26 Rootworm Management, Webinar 

March 30 Soil Sessions, Webinar 

March 31 Wetlands and Pollinators, Webinar 

April 1 Cover Crop Decision Tool, Webinar 

April 6-8 Iowa Water Conference, Virtual 

April 7-8 Conservation Drainage Network Annual Meeting, Virtual 

April 8 Integrated Pest Management, Webinar 

April 15 Cover Crop Impacts on Water Quality, Virtual 

Farmer to Farmer video 

Checkoff Investments in Conservation 

From this winter’s farm hall webinar, Ben Gleason, Senior Manager of Sustainable Programs, discusses Iowa Corn’s investments in conservation programs. Click here to watch recordings of all of Iowa Corn’s farm hall webinars.